7:30pm: A massive Tamil demonstration has closed traffic in both directions on Toronto's busy Gardiner Expressway. At approximately 6:50 pm this evening, protesters marched up the Spadina westbound on-ramp and spread out across the highway.It's a miracle that nobody was killed or maimed here.
Police arrived on scene immediately, closed intersections and contained the demonstration.
Let's face it, folks... you don't have to be an FBI profiler to see that the Tamil Tiger constituency is escalating their, cough, cough... "protests". Which begs the question... "What else have they got in their bag of tricks?"
Let's not forget that the Tigers are the very same people who brought the world... "the suicide vest".
These are clearly desperate, fanatical individuals... and they're getting more-so daily. So, ask yourself, people... "What's on deck?"
A suicide bombing at the Yonge-Bloor subway exchange? Or, better yet, the House of Commons?
Nothing would surprise me anymore.
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UPDATE: It's not just the Gardiner anymore...
Chief Blair expressed frustration at the difficulties faced by the police in finding a Tamil spokesman with whom to negotiate. "We are not getting much co-operation," he said.And it looks like they're actually holding people hostage...
The shutdown of the Gardiner quickly rippled across the entire city, as the Ontario Provincial Police, in a backup role to Toronto police, blocked off southbound access to the Don Valley Parkway into the city.
Transit riders were also trapped: Three streetcars were pinned down by protesters at University and College; the Spadina streetcars were turned back at King Street; and there was reduced service along Queen's Quay.No fear, though... it looks like "His Blondeness" is pulling out all the stops...
Mayor David Miller issued a statement last night calling for calm, urging the Tamil demonstrators "to peacefully relocate their protest to a safer location."C'mon Mr Mayor... can you say "pretty please"?
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UPDATE2: Iggy calls off the dogs... er, Tigers
Some Tamils said they decided to end their protest after Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff promised to take up the cause in the Commons.*
Another Tamil protest near the Ontario legislature ended just before midnight, opening up University Avenue and College St.
