TORONTO – After being remanded for a reason that still has not been disclosed, Bill Blair was finally released by Toronto police after being unlawfully detained for over 10 years.
“It’s been a long, hard road,” said a sullen Blair as he emerged from the holding centre at 22 Division. “And the road to justice for my mistreatment will be even longer, but I am strong.”
As he showed reporters bruises and welts from the “excessive force” used during his detainment, Blair explained that he was “simply protesting” against the Trans-Pacific Partnership when police beat and pepper sprayed him with no provocation, and threw him in a cell where there were no bathroom facilities or water.
Blair said that after a few days, police made him put on a uniform, and took him to what the detectives who were questioning him called a ‘police board’ that interrogated him relentlessly for hours on end without any sort of reprieve, and no access to a lawyer.
Jonna Welk, counsel for Mr. Blair, said her client had suffered extreme psychological abuse and physical hardship. “Can you imagine the emotional toll having to spend years caged up with journalists, civil servants, and Rob Ford would take on you?” she asked.
Blair claims he repeatedly requested a transfer to a more humane location, such as being made chief of Toronto Fire where he “could at least wear that cool hat thing,” but was always ignored.
“My imprisonment just demonstrates how unfair the legal system is. Whether you’re a G20 protester being beaten for no reason, a mentally ill youth shot on a streetcar, or a rich white middle aged man being let go from a cushy job, they find a way to screw you over.”
