Police say the protests at Canadian summits have been tamer than at previous summits

Police: protests have been tame so far

TORONTO — Police say the protests at the global summits in Canada this weekend have been tame so far compared to those at previous summits.

Toronto Police Sgt. Tim Burrows says authorities are quite pleased that the protests are proceeding “peacefully” compared to what they’ve seen at previous summits. Hundreds of protesters moved through Toronto’s streets Friday, but police in riot gear blocked them from getting near the summit security zone.

The largest demonstration, sponsored by labor unions, is planned for Saturday. Burrows says they’ll be watching splinter groups within the protest who might be prone to violence.

Police have made 32 arrests and laid 51 charges since June 18. Some 19,000 law enforcement officers from all over Canada are providing security at a cost of more than $US900 million.