STORY about Police/PrisonsIndigenous posted on August 5, 2010 by justin

Indigenous rights activist re-arrested on G20 related charges

by Justin Saunders →Dominion Stories

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More than a month after the fact, police continue to hunt activists who attended demonstrations against the G20 summit in Toronto. Earlier today another community organizer was taken into custody in Southwestern Ontario.

In collaboration with Waterloo Regional Police, officers from the Toronto Force arrested Indigenous Rights advocate Ryan Rainville on charges of mischief over $5000 and assault police. They appeared at the house in Waterloo where Rainville had been staying since being released from custody on other G20 related charges.

During his arrest Rainville asked about the nature of the allegations - stating that he had never assaulted an officer in his life - and was told by plainclothes officers that 'he (did not use) a conventional weapon.'

Friends of Rainville describe him as a 'deeply thoughtful..and committed advocate for the rights of First Nations People' and 'a very caring individual'. Members of the Toronto Community Mobilization Network decried the arrest, stating that it is 'part of a continuing attempt to intimidate community organizers'.

Police took Rainville to 52 Division in Toronto and stated that he will appear in room 206-F at the 2201 Finch St courthouse at 2pm this afternoon.