Union leader who unmasked police agents condemns violence at G-20

OTTAWA, June 28 /CNW Telbec/ - The leader of one of Canada's biggest unions condemns the violent acts perpetrated by a small band of "demonstrators".

Dave Coles, President of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada (CEP) says "The property damaging episodes occurred well after a massive and peaceful assembly at Queen's Park. A huge crowd estimated between 12,000 and 20,000 then marched toward the site of the G-20 summit, but were blocked by phalanxes of riot gear clad police."

A tense confrontation between demonstrators and police was defused by Coles. At the eye of the confrontation, he reminded the police that they had no reason to attack the demonstrators.

Union observers wonder why peaceful marchers were confronted, but masked "demonstrators" were allowed to wander freely through downtown Toronto for hours smashing windows and setting police cars afire. Earlier in the week, police confirmed they would be sending infiltrators into the crowd. Coles questions whether some of these "demonstrators" were agents provocateurs like the ones unmasked at the Montebello Summit in 2007.

For further information: Dave Coles, 613 299-5628 (cell)