Activists, politicians condemn arrests linked to Hamilton encampment protest

Activists, politicians and community members are condemning the arrest of protesters who clashed with police at a homeless encampment in Hamilton, and raising concerns about the "violent" way those facing charges were taken into custody.

Coun. Nrinder Nann, whose ward includes the park where the protest happened, described footage of the arrests as "very troubling" and said they showed "excessive use of force" by police.

Chief Frank Bergen said police believe in the right to peaceful protest, but the "chaotic situation" that led to the arrests "was not a peaceful protest."

It began with a fire at J.C. Beemer Park on Wednesday morning that destroyed tents people had been living in, along with all of their belongings.

Hamilton Police Service said officers arrived to find flames shooting as high as six metres, and explosions caused by propane tanks and generators. Emergency workers pulled several people from nearby tents before the fire spread.

The city and police said the fire, which damaged hydro poles, meant the encampment was not safe and they began to evict the people who had been staying there, after arranging shelter options. 

Members of the Hamilton Encampment Support Network (HESN) showed up with supporters, chanting to protest the evictions and calling for those whose tents were still standing to be allowed to stay.

At one point, demonstrators broke through police tape wrapped around the scene, Bergen said in his statement.

Doing so, he said, "compromised the area established for the safety of workers cleaning the area, encampment residents, city staff and outreach workers."

Two people were arrested that afternoon: a 27-year-old woman and a 33-year-old man.

Photos taken by Hamilton Spectator photographer Cathie Coward show police officers pushing against protesters with linked arms.

One picture appears to show an officer with a knee on a protester.

When asked about the knee being used, police said the picture showed officers "attempting to gain control" for an arrest in a "dynamic situation."

"A shoulder pin may be used to affect an arrest and is taught at the Ontario Police College," read a statement from the service.