TORONTO – Speaking through a megaphone from behind a line of riot police, Toronto police chief James Ramer warned over 1000 people unjustly arrested and detained during the 2010 G-20 summit that unless they gave him their forgiveness and immediately left he would have to remove them by force.
“We’re really sorry for inconveniencing you,” said Ramer as an armoured truck pointed its water cannon at the socially distanced plaintiffs who had gathered to hear the Toronto Police Service’s statement on its misconduct. “Now please render your forgiveness and leave the area.”
As police officers closed off exit routes the chief repeated how sorry he was, and that Toronto’s police service would try to remember that it needed a reason to arrest people in the future.
When asked if the ruling will lead to further reforms following the death of Regis Korchinski-Paquet and widespread abuse by police in the United States, Ramer added that the crowd had “one minute to comply.”
“We understand the gravity of what we did wrong,” continued Ramer over the loudspeaker. “Every time there is a protest from now on, we will remember you are allowed to do so on threat of paid administrative leave. Please disperse!”
Stating that the victims of their actions during the G-20 had contravened a direct order from police to forgive them, Ramer admitted he had no choice but to apply appropriate force.
“It’s great to finally have their misdeeds publicly acknowledged,” said class action member David Kerns, as tear gas canisters flew overhead and another member of the crowd in a suspiciously close crew cut and military-style boots threw him to the ground. “But these things take time, I guess.”
At press time Bill Blair was a cabinet minister.
