Occupy Toronto encampment evicted

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford declared the end of the Occupy Toronto protest after police swept the downtown encampment Wednesday, reported the National Post. He added that the protesters will not be allowed to reoccupy another park.

According to the Toronto Sun, Mayor Ford called a news conference after the eviction:

The protest is over and I'd like to keep it that way; if they do go to another park we will ask them to leave immediately.

Protesters gathered outside of City Hall on Thursday to rally against the eviction of the encampment, which stood for more than 40 days in St. James Park, CTV reported. Hundreds of occupyers, as well as members of the Ontario Federation of Labour, joined together in the financial district before turning their sights to Nathan Phillips Square nearby.

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The eviction was peaceful, and executed by about 100 police officers, reported Bloomberg BusinessWeek. Reuters reported only one arrest during the sweep.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the eviction notice was upheld Monday night a provincial court, paving the way for the raid on the encampment.

Protesters told Posted Toronto – a blog of the National Post – that Thursday marked day 41, and vowed that this was not the end. 

Nearby, the Occupy Ottawa encampment was also cleared out Wednesday night and protesters planned to march to Confederation Park, the site of their former camp, and will hold a meeting Friday to discuss their next moves, reported the Ottawa Citizen.

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