Tamil Protests Shut Down the Gardiner

Sad reality: no one gives a f**k about what's happening in Sri Lanka... everyone I know and even strangers on the street share the same (anti-) sentiment.

People were already frustrated when University was blocked, but to overrun/block a major expressway on Mother's Day will only anger them further and create more opposition to those people and their cause.

It's unfortunate but it's the truth.

That's a lot of Tamil Tiger's flags. Again, best of luck to them getting support while waving them. People are <b>dying</b> over there. The Tamil protesters need to smarten the hell up. You will get zero support from the government while waving one of those flags. None. It will <b>not</b> happen. If you want people to stop dying, then put the goddamn flags away. This is the last I'm going to talk about this.

The sadder truth is that by associating themselves with the LTTE (an acknowledged terrorist group by most western governments) these protesters are in fact ensuring that their demands will not be satisfied. It is one thing to push Canada into taking a more proactive role in facilitating negotiations between the two sides of the war, but to actively declare allegiance to this group ensures that it is not going to happen. The government will simply NOT assist a terrorist group. The whole strategy behind these protests needs to be rethought.

Not just the Gardiner. This evening the police have closed the DVP southbound due to the traffic problems created by the Gardiner being closed. The backup is as far as Finch.

This is reprehensible. The Tamil cause was pretty weak to start with. This doesn't make me want to support it. Don't bring your ethnic fights to this country.

I am too hurt to see Tamils who came to this country think they can do the same things that they used to do in Sri lanka.
Immigration dept. should check how they immigrated to my country
ILLEGAL immigrants should expel to where ever they came from.

I DONT WANT A ELLAM IN CANADA

"just gas 'em fuckers"

i just noticecd this. woah. toronto the not-so-good.

I can has Gardiner plez.

Wow, not cool guys. I mean come on, some people are being plain racist. If you look at it, we're all immigrants from one point in history or another, so quit it with the immigrants thing.Moreover, I think most people fail to see that many of these protestors were Canadian born, raised and you'll be seeing a lot more them in your future, as doctors, teacher, accountant, etc, so they are CANADIANS fighting in the only place they call home.Next, when the Ontario farmers or when it is another "North American" protest you see it as for a good cause but when people who look different from us are, then it's inappropriate?!?! Next, this is not a new problem, you heard the protestors it's been ongoing for 30 some odd years. And hey from a PR prespective, they got your attention didn't they. And I think if we all look beyond the whole " oh these are not the same people I am", you'll see that isn't an ethnic fight, it's a humanitarian fight. Oh and the mother's day thing, these people have lost their mothers and you're worried you can't see your mother now- so insensitive. And man- get over the terrorist thing, fine they're waving the wrong flags but how lame is it to pick on this one point and not look at their message. So forget that this is a tamil problem and understand that this a human problem. Oh and trying to deport them, yeah that's wise, because Canada with its dwindling population and lack of work ethic is really going places. So before you blog, check out some alternative sources and oh yeah, don't eat before doing so, your stomach can't handle it.

They have our attention, but not our sympathy. Just sayin.

I respect that the tamils are upset about what is going on in their homeland...but Canadians are not to blame. Strong-arming our government is not cool and the police must act.

Enough is enough. Taking our city hostage? Perhaps we now have a better understanding of what the Sri Lankan government is dealing with; the tamil tigers are a terrorist organization...indeed, they have been terrorizing toronto for some time and it must end. Perhaps it's time we should rethink our immigration policy - and compare the costs and benefits of bringing certain individuals into Canada.

Hey Blair...have some guts and end this nonsense.

I can't imagine how scared I'd be if I saw flocks of people running down the street wearing terrorist flags (just like in the clip where they're running past Concord CityPlace).

I just hope these idiots wake the fuck up and the situation can be defused without any violence.

I hadn't realized that suburbanites were so gung ho on factory and manual labour, or cleaning work, or demeaning and low paid jobs with little or no job security. Whoops then, by all means let the suburbanites have the jobs.

This thread illustrates the typical selfishness and ignorance of the world (particularly the west) in response to genocide.

All you people can think about is your cars, traffic, and how this might inconvenience you.

Genocide has historically gone unnoticed until after the fact - sometimes it takes drastic and disruptive action to get attention and make a difference and these people have nothing to lose.

To Toronto's Tamil community: Keep up the good work! Your voices will be heard.

80% correct except that we give .... about tamils. First - who allowed them into this democratic, civilized country? Liberals?
Secondly the tamils must understand now that TERRORISM never wins any wars, they lost in Sri Lanka & they will loose here, in Toronto. They MUST NOT BLACKMAIL our governments, nor our taxpayers.
What about our counter-terrorists? Nobody had any intelligence (informers) in the tamil groups? Now they are taken by "surprise"???? Some heads should roll for such slackness!
The tamils use the same cowardly tactics as their terrorists in Sri Lanka - they put their children & women as shields so then they can claim "brutalities" against children & women. In Sri Lanka their terrorists do not fight wearing uniforms so when they are shot - they hope to count the loss as a "killed civilian"!
We demand our Country to support the Sri Lankan government!

They certianly got many torontonians to notice the issue.

but.

They shouldn't have been united as 'tamil tiger' supporters, it would have been best for them to be united as Sri Lankans who are care about the well being of Sri Lanka.
Gettiing support from governemnt from the issue could make it seem like Canada is supporting a rebel/terrorist group.

If they're really concerent about their country they should have been nuetral and avoided taking sides. Choosing sides = conflicts, which keeps the fueling burning for the civil war.

The protesters are as stubbern and arogant as the Gov. in Sri lanka. There won't be peace in Sri Lanka if you're supporting a side at war with the other.

Embrace Open-Mindedness!

What's with this 'our' and 'they' stuff, Bill? What about Canadians who happen to be ethnically Tamil? Surely they fit somewhere in your spectrum, no?

One of the most revealing things about the response to these protests, for me, is that it's shown how many people really do see a distinction between 'real' (read: white) Canadians and 'visitor' Canadians. In Toronto, no less. We're not even close to has kumbaya as we think we are!

The response to this and other minority unrest issues continues to be ripe for insight into the true nature of our 'mosaic'. It ain't so pretty.

lol

and..... supporting terrorism or blackmail DOEST NOT HELP...

they lied to them to get them off the gardiner lmao..

Man i get it the highway is blocked but suck it up. I'm not tamil but we need to show everyone that this is bad and we can't stand here and do nothing. TAMIL TIGERS ARE NOT A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION. because they want independence so i'm guessing the states were a terrorist organization before they seperated and every other country. Some of you are idiots think before you make stupid comments. Why should you care you have a comfy house to live in when ppl are dieing.

NAME CALLING, is, of course, a civilized discourse argument....

Can someone refer me to a site where I can donate money to whoever the hell is fighting the Tamils. I have a big donation for them to finish the job. No ONE cares what is happening to the Tamils. No one here does. They are nothing but terrorists who have been waging a civil war in Sri Lanka. They are the scum of the earth.

Your comments do nothing but prove that these protests are entirely necessary to raise awareness about what is going on. You're ignorant and a bigot.

You, and a lot of the other people on this thread, are saying things that ("what a bunch of animals" for example from your own post) that express the root causes of human rights abuses and genocide.

You insist on mythologizing others and degrading them to animals - thereby not only allowing, but encouraging, human rights abuses. You should hope that you never face a situation like this, and if you do that other people will be more sympathetic.

agsin - "ingorant", "bigot" - but no facts, just "root causes", not a word about Our Canadian Government listing Tamil Tigers as a terrorist organization...

Actually. I addressed that issue in a earlier post. The people facing the brunt of the attacks in Sri Lanka are innocent civilians (non-combatants). The status of the Tamil Tigers at terrorist has little to do with the human rights abuses that are occurring.

Why can this debate not move beyond terrorism??

i think you've missed the point "seriously". Yeah they used child shield, waved terriorist flags and block hospital routes and that is definitely not the best way to go but they protesting against a human injustice and I dearly hope that humanity and compassion are on your agenda. Sri Lanka was pleasurable place to live and everyone is hoping that it can be returned to that glory. Mutual respect is what these people have demanded but their cries fell on deaf ears. They circulated petitions and wrote letter, I have signed a multiple of these letter but obviously they never got anywhere.

You have no compassion for the bus passangers (women & children) BURNT ALIVE in Tamil Tigers attacks?

I think it's fair to say that there were brutal killings on both sides of the war but who cares which side did it, people died and a life is a life no matter whose it is.

I support some decisions, however, others I feel should be reconsidered or atleast modified. Let's get this clear not everyone at the protest was in support of the LTTE, (yes there were flags but notice how not everyone was holding one) many people were supporting peace but everyone is being considered a supporter of the LTTE. I think spence is right, let's move beyond the terrorist angle.

the gardiner is now free

Tamils = terrorists, cowards, criminals.

Spence go to Sri Lanka and fix the problem yourself if you care so much, maybe take some kids with you to protect yourself.

Everyone always rips Western countries and culture, but these same fuckers are always the first ones to whine when the West doesn't help them out.

Support the Toronto Police. These guys deserve it, they shouldn't have to put up with this bullshit.

A brilliant economist, but no that would be myself, anon. I mean Toronto's precious gradiner is now free of peace protesters.

Apu would have not approved of any of this.

apu is indian not sri lankan

i thought this portion of the blog was for the sri lankan crisis, but indeed i think you fill in other sections that all the causes you have mentioned are also supported

Wow, how can you people even try to play the racist card? I don't think it would matter what the colour of skin was, if the Toronto FC fans shut down the highway until they got a winning team or the Leafs we still wouldn't tolerate this. Cause it's the Law. I'm also sick of the supporters saying "I don't think you understand how many innocent people are getting killed."

Trust me! We Get it, and YES it sucks. My family came here from Lithuania when times were rough for us. While here we watched on the news as the Russians were slaughtering us. At no point did we say "hey, let's shut down the highway cause these people don't seem to get it. WE GET IT, SHUT UP! All these demands from the supporters is "ASK Canada." But even if we do ask Canada to do something and Sri Lanka doesn't listen, it's still not good enough for you. I think the only way you people would be satisfied is if we attacked them for not listening.

So even if the Liberals help like they promised, if it doesn't do anything what will you do to stop the "peaceful hostage" situations you cause. If you shut down Pearson airport cause us demanding a seize fire didn't work, does it make sence? Can you guys provent a economy in a recession from functioning so that we send soldiers to over throw the governament? If I went on a HWY to protest something I believed in could I get mad if the police used force to remove me? What if 2000 squegy Kids and homeless did the same thing? Should we devote housing space for them so that they arn't cold during the winter?

I'm not a supporter of Gas'em, but come on. I have a feeling this is just a taste of things to come. Are they gunna shut down a Jays game against a american team so the US also helps the cause? Holding us hostage is the best way to cause a civilian break down. It seams like there is a lot of Canadians who don't support these protest methods, there are some screwed up people on the streets. Please don't take it to the point where you have Citizens coming after you cause we get sick of it. What this City or even Country does not need is for the people who live here and pay the ridiculous amount of taxes (I wasn't born here and payed close to $20,000 in taxes, but hey I'm a canadian citizen now got to respect your way of life)to take matters into our hands cause the governement is scared that they'll be labelled as rasicist with their remarks.

If you try a more extreme measure cause this one didn't work, then you deserve whatever force is used against you.

Story picked up by CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/05/10/canada.tamilprotest/index.html

Oh by the way Cynthia my email is kos_gammon@yahoo.ca, haha I forgot it earlier.

I think street justice is in order to stop these damn noise tamil tigers from taking over our city again.
I have a tamil friend and she told me that the tamil tiger boys at her highschool used to taunt her and her family for not giving charity to their organizations, and these taunts weren't nice. they attempted to ruin her reputation by calling her a slutt; oh how old fashioned it may be, but apparently women enjoying themselves is a big deal in their culture.
anyways, i think street justice is in order to solve this problem if the police won't do anything to stop these protests.
i mean, COME ON, why can't 'em tigers protest at queenspark or in public square like nathan philip square (or, how awful it maybe, mel lastman's square). Why does mel lastman deserve a square named after him, he has a store and a fucking public square? COME ON NOW, THAT’S TOO MUCH! They can demonstrate how important their cause is in a public square and can show their solidarity in front of the Canadian public, media and politicians without causing a ruckus. Imagine the headlines for a moment that could stem from such actions: 2000 protestors at queens park calling for the government to condemn the ‘genocide’. But no, these headlines will never exist; they insist on causing havoc on our existence and now they will just generate resentment from headlines like: “tamil tigers block major highway, costing billions of dollars from police overtime dues; 24 cops injured”. “tamil protestors now threaten to take the city’s water supply hostage if the liberal party doesn’t send mr. ignatiffe’s aid to sir lanka to broker a peace deal” or “tamil tigers use ‘child-shields’ to prevent police from deploying teargas and clearing up major transportation artery”.
There is no where to go but down for this movement, they lost a lot of support of the Canadian people. And if these fuckers want to hold us hostage again, I really think we should show the people of the world what a dose of ‘Toronto the Good’ street justice can do: the good old fashion beat downs we can deliver to show them our solidarity that we had enough of this.

Tamil Protests Shut Down the Gardiner...
QUICK - Increase the speed limit on the highway!

Seriously folks... Seems that the authorities allowed this to happen. Why? That way, in the future, legitimate organized protests will no longer be allowed in this city. That way, CONTROL will be the order of the day.

See why these Tamil protests are allowed to drag on and on?

Let's encourage them to return to their homeland and sort out their mess over there. Give us peace on our streets and our highways for a change.

i think that poster is referring to both this and the other incidents which this further incident literally put the last-nail in the coffin for many of us. Prior to this little mess, the tamils blocked downtown traffic and cost millions of dollars in police over time. I commuted those days they blocked the US consulate on the TTC and it was a mess. It is not so much that they caused an inconvenience for surbanites that brothers me, but rather that they believe they have the right to hold us hostage to their demands.

I think i agree that i with the posters you commented on, but i think its not my respect for them i lost, it is just my sympathies.

i think it should be clarified that there are two flags: the flag of the LTTE and the flag of the tamil eelam.
the difference between the two is that the flag of the LTTE has tamil writing on it.
carrying a tamil eelam flag is taking a stance to support a tamil state separate from sri lanka, not necessarily a stance supporting the LTTE.

I care for our farmers because their issues, especially the fact they contribute to canadian society through food production, is important to me. the farmers with their tractors did not lose my sympathy because their protest was targeted at its right and our government owes it to its people, and its farmers, to make sure our food supply is secure, safe and sustainable.

the tamils on the other hand are not asking for better living conditions for their diasporic community in toronto, instead they want to take hostage the interest of the canadian people in order to force us to take sides in a complicated and protracted civil war that is colored with highly complicated shades of grey. This is on the assumption that we can even intervene in Sir Lanka, which we probably shouldn't and can't.

my position on the farmer/tiger protest is simple: minority interests should not take democracy hostage.

<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BpaQJ0PmA1k/SgeDZJoskRI/AAAAAAAAALk/GUnxP1bwS_Q/s1600-h/DSC_1334.jpg"; target="_blank">This is the photo</a> I'm referencing in my comment above. It's the 11th photo in the series on the website I referenced above.

I don't think Canadians are lazy - we understand that rallying in the streets is not the most intelligent or effective way to make change.

Just because Canadians aren't chomping at the bit to make a public spectacle out of themselves, doesn't mean they lack passion. Of course, there WAS the 20,000+ person weed march, lol lol.

I see some Tory Boy twitterers are trying to stick it to Ignatieff this morning. Iggy's assistant only promised to "raise the issue" in Parliament (I doubt he said "support it") and in return we don't have a complete clusterfuck this morning. Well done Team Iggy - Tories were doing f*** all to resolve it because Toronto's too smart to elect a Harper drone. (Note am not Liberal voter/member)

These people sicken me.

"US" = "UN"

This just in: In civil wars, innocent people get caught up and die.

It always sucks. But so long as both sides are willing to die for their cause, or send others to die on their behalf, peace isn't going to happen (until one side is wiped out or surrenders). Tamil Tiger supporters could be calling for their side to lay down their arms, which would go a long way to ending the Sri Lankan military response, logically. But they feel their cause remains worth fighting for. So, they have to take their share of the responsibility for the resulting civilian deaths. You can't have it both ways. If innocent people die because you choose to fight, you are to blame regardless of what the other side does.

Also, Tamil Tiger supporters, like it or not, the LTTE's use of terrorist tactics resulting in the murdering of scores of innocent people (especially suicide bombers) means that you ARE a terrorist organization. If the protesters denounced the Tigers while supporting peace, I think the response would be quite different.

Lastly, Toronto is not Ottawa. If you want your message to be heard by people who actually make a difference in international affairs, go shut down Parliament Hill.

how can i disable the feature of publishing comments on my facebook each time i comment on blogto? it is a useless feature

If you're not using Facebook Connect than you don't need to worry about it. If you are using it, you should receive a prompt asking you whether you want to publish the comment on Facebook to which you can reply no.

Anyone organizing a counterprotest to these goons?

"Toronto is not Ottawa. If you want your message to be heard by people who actually make a difference in international affairs, go shut down Parliament Hill."

I absolutely agree. An innocent question... are there protests in Ottawa as well? Are there protests in the US? I haven't heard a thing about any other cities/countries being affected by Sri Lankian demonstrations.

Why is Toronto such a target?

Because it's convenient for the Tamils. Ottawa would take too much effort.

Amazing the amount of racism that surfaces is when "other" Canadians try to invoke the democracy. Awareness and action are the issues here, the Tamil community wouldn't have to take such drastic protests if Canadian politicians weren't protecting the interests of big business who want to develope valuable Tamil land. Of course we don't hear about that, all we hear is that Tamil Tigers are a terrorist front. They're wouldn't be any Tamil Tigers if eastern Sri Lanka would've been properly helped after Hurricane Katrina. Instead, we hear about the average Canadian being annoyed along University and the tax costs of all these police officers being paid OT to supervise this. Makes me sick!

Jameson I know one Sri Lankan who is a friend of mine that has lost an Uncle in the late 80's during an Black Tiger suicide strike against an economic target.

Just saying. Also very liberal use of the word racism.

This is ludacris. Hey, Canadian Immigration Officers when you allow people to immigrate to this country can you screen them for the dumb gene. Lets face the real issues that Canada is facing like the current economic situation and the lack of jobs for upcoming graduates. Whats more we're a peaceful country not one that is going to random wars across the world. The Hutus, Tutsis and Columbians are dying too. At least they realize why they left their country for a better life. Shame on you Sri Lanka!!! You make Canadians look bad.

Didn't Canada just increase humanitarian funding to Sri Lanka a week ago? I'd say in this time of recession, debt, and defecit, giving money to other countries is a huge effort. What else is Canada supposed to do?

I would rather my Canadian tax dollars provide aid to the Canadian people.

1 - Why the municipal disruption? If the Canadian government is their intended audience, why not protest at Parliament Hill? Or, locally, at Queen's Park? Blocking the Gardiner/DVP, and spending days in front of the U.S. embassy makes no sense.

2 - Toronto is made entirely of immigrants. We come from around the world. The only reason I'm here is because terrorism, fascism and, yes, genocide, forced my grandparents to move to a new continent. A few decades later, a military dictatorship forced my father to, again, move to another continent. I consider myself Canadian first and foremost and don't expect my local government to interject into political affairs abroad. I find it odd that anyone would have that sense of entitlement, or how they think that would work.

I question the motivations of this group of protesters. If you read their signs and listen to their chants it becomes clear that this is not so much a demand for a cease-fire but a show of support for the Tigers. Claiming their leader as Velupillai Prabhakaran shows a loyalty to the Tigers and not merely a concern for the civilians. The signs demand a separate homeland as the only solution not good-faith talks and compromise. They seem more like they are seeking to save the Tigers since one can only imagine that once they are defeated the Sri Lankan army has no more need to be shelling. It has been said by some of the top-level Tigers who have given themselves up that the Tiger strategy is to hold on, hoping that foreign powers will intercede and allow them time to regroup.
How can anyone expect that a government that has been fighting a 20 year war would acquiesce just when they are on the verge of victory? Won't ever happen.
I do wonder why these people protesting don't go back to Sri Lanka and take up arms or political means if they are so concerned. They want the safety of Canada so they can make noise, they want the nation to exert political pressure to get them what they want, they expect us to put up with the disruption to our lives for their cause but they aren't going to Sri Lanka to make a difference. And after breaking our laws they want to deride our country, the country they swore an oath to. Just seems curious.

Let us band together and get these disruptive protesters off of our streets. They are obviously not going to work or school. They are not being anything but a nuisance to society here.
If the city and government refuse to step in or take action- the citizens must.
What can we do?! Anyone have any ideas?

Well, I feel it is important to clarify that the protestors were yelling "our leader - Velupillai Prabhakaran" who is the LTTE leader. It was Velupillai Prabhakaran's friend who incorporated the tiger dreamt up by Prabhakaran as a symbol for the resistance and separate state. So I fail to see the distinction.

The flags are fucking stupid. There is no excusing the employment of children to take up arms.

With that said, LTTE flags being waved seems to have caused open season on all manner of whining and complaining about road closures. When I lived in Vancouver a few years ago, there were protests every other week and one of them shut down a major city street so people could protest the privatization of water services. WATER. If you want to argue the differences between Commercial Drive and The Gardiner, you're missing the point. The amount of complaining about slight inconveniences at that time PALE in comparison to the whinnying over this issue. Oh yeah, this is about genocide.

The way I see it, were there no Tamil Tigers flags being flown above an angry sea of people, a helluva lot of you commenting here would be a lot less critical about having to take a different way home and perhaps get on Sri Lankans' side in petitioning our Government to do something. Anything. But no.

Instead, both sides look like failures. The only saving grace is that Canada is finally listening and sending someone over to Sri Lanka to attempt some form of mediation. Nobody is innocent in all this strife, and it's come down to supporting the lesser of two evils for the purpose of ENDING all of this brutal violence. But instead of being constructive on this extremely grey-area issue, you're whining about the lack of organization, road closures and aimless wandering appearance of the protesters. Simon Cowell couldn't sound more nit-picky.

So don't worry folks, stories of mass amounts of people being blown into oblivion will die down and your drive home will be nice and smooth soon enough, no thanks to your NIMBYism. What an embarrassment.

Talk about an event that brings new meaning to the term women and children first!

My heart goes out to those facing the harsh day-to-day life in the war in Sri-Lanka. I live in a country free from these conditions and I am thankful for it every day. There must be a better way to demonstrate without pissing off residents of the city. You are going to turn the population against your cause if you keep shutting down infrastructure like what happened yesterday. Also, not everyone is going to get behind your cause because of your association with what Canada deems a terrorist organization. If people walked down the streets blatantly supporting Al Qaeda what do you think will happen?

I hope that the situation in Sri Lanka is brought to a peaceful resolve. Canada can only do so much - we've alerady given you a free and safe country to live in that has given you everything you need to prosper. You're welcome.

ok...since when did it become Canada's job to become principal, and decide what gov't and what terrorist org to support or make demands upon.....Whine about road closures?....petty yes, however when in rome, you know the rest.....it's a wonderful thing to immigrate to a new safer place, but the will of the minority cannot outway the democratic whole, therefore,get the F@@@ off the gd highway.And while you're at it, leave the kids home too, don't put them anywhere near the front of the line and certainly never bring them into a crowd physcology situation....hey, and yes the terrorost flag thing is big, it shows support for one side, the terrorist .....by choosing a side you negate peace especially when both sides are wrong, you support conflict....Canada is a peace keeper and when called upon will fight the good fight,but there are only so many fights in a boxer, sometimes you kinda have to fight yourself and not play armchair rebel demanding others to do it for you....

oh justin...did I hurt your feelings...so sorry. I just hate being lectured to by arm-chair intellectuals...my bad.

We're going to close this comment thread now...