Toronto police make several arrests after clashes at Lamport Stadium during encampment clearing

Toronto police say they have made several arrests amid clashes with protesters ascity crews dismantled part ofa homelessencampment in the Liberty Village area on Wednesday.

Police showed up at the site near Lamport Stadium, south of King Street West near Dufferin Street, on bikes and horses on Wednesday morning.

Const. David Hopkinson, spokesperson for the Toronto Police Service, said one arrest is in connection with an assault onan officer. Others were for trespassing offences. None of the people arrested were residents of the encampment, he said.

Hopkinson said at least two officers have been treated for minor injuries.

According to the EncampmentSupport Network (ESN), an organization that has sprung up to help unhoused people living outside, five protesterswere injured and two of thosefivewere arrested. One person wasdetained at Toronto Police14 Division and a large crowd waitedoutside until he was released.

Police confirmed that he is no longer at the station. There has beenno word on charges.

A video taken near the encampmentshows officers shovingat least one protester into a police vehicle.

Simone Schmidt, a member of ESN, describedthe treatment of protesters by police on Wednesday as "unconscionable." She added: "Mayor John Tory has to answer for this. There has to be some kind of solution other than violence."

The city has toldthose living in tents and makeshift structures near Lamport Stadiumthat they have to move to shelters or alternative housing instead of remaining in the west end park.

Theeviction that began on Wednesday morning was met with protests, with dozens yelling "shame" as city workers, some dressed in hazardous material suits, broke down tents and loaded them into garbage trucks. At other points, demonstrators locked arms to make human chains around tents.

EncampmentSupport Networktweeted that people at the site did not want to leave.

"This is forced displacement," the organization tweeted.

The city has been clearing encampments in recent weeks, noting they violate city bylaws. A trespass notice was sent to those living at the site last week.

City spokesperson Brad Ross said outreach workers have visited Lamport 107 times since January to offer alternative spaces. At one point, he noted, a propane tank exploded at the site resulting in a serious fire.

"Living outside has a significant, negative impact on overall health and the well-being of people,"Ross said in an email.

"Encampments are not an indefinite solution to unsheltered homelessness and the health outcomes for people who stay outside are complex and serious."

Ross said the options for those being displaced include shelters or hotel rooms.

"By coming inside people are provided with a number of supports, including a housing worker, meals, laundry, showers, harm reduction and medical assistance,"he said.

WATCH | Toronto Mayor John Tory says the city decided it was time to clear this encampment:

Mayor John Tory defends clearing of Lamport Stadium encampment

3 years ago

Duration 2:09

On Wednesday, Toronto Mayor John Tory told reporters that encampments are unsafe, unhealthy and illegal. He said the city decided it was time to dismantle it.

It's unclear how many people were living at the Lamport encampment or where they'll go next some suggested to a CBC videojournalist they'd prefer to remain outside.

Police, meanwhile,said in an email statement they sent officers to the sceneas a "last resort" and warned if people refuse to leave they may be issued a trespassing ticket.