Black Lives Matter protesters remain at Toronto police headquarters

Black Lives Matter iscontinuing itsprotestat Toronto Police headquarters Tuesdayafter clashes overnight between officers and activists.

• Black Lives Matter protesters demand answers as group moves to Toronto police HQ

Supporters of the protest urged Toronto residents on Twitter to donateblankets, sleeping bags, heaters, heat lamps andhand warmersto keep the activists warm.

Police dismantled tents and doused a fire on Monday night at 40 College St. Officers in white jumpsuits poured fire retardant on the remaining pieces of wood.

When police moved into the demonstrationto extinguish the fire, there was pushing and shoving. The crowd shouted: "Shame." After the police finished, the crowd chanted: "Hands up, don't shoot."

Mark Pugash, spokesperson for Toronto Police, said the protesters were notified that the tents and fire were illegal and given adequate notice to remove them. He said when they did not comply, police moved into enforce the law.

"The protesters' response was defiance. They linked arms.They did it around the fire. They obstructed police," Pugash said Tuesday.

"If people want to protest peacefully, we will work with you. We will facilitate. They are welcome to be out there."

Pugashsaid the police notice given to the protesters was adequate and they were told the tents and fire were illegal.

"Nobody was taken by surprise. It was enough time for them to decide they were not going to comply."

Black Lives Matter protesters on Twitter say the police attacked the protesters and poured toxic chemicals on their wood.

"Apparently 'support'is beating up peaceful protesters, pushing us into fire andpoisoning the air," it said.

The activists say they have three demands:

• The release of the names of officers who killed Andrew Loku, a 45-year-old father of five fatally shot in Toronto last July, and Jermaine Carby, a 33-year-old man fatally shot last September inBramptonat a traffic stop. Both officers were cleared in the shootings.
• A review of the Ontario Special Investigations Unit with consultation from families affected by police violence.
• A reversal of changes imposed by the city on Afrofest and restoration of the event to a two-day festival.

Group leaders have saidthey arefrustrated with the city's decision to shorten the Afrofest festival after officials saythey received noise complaints.

Last Wednesday, Coun. Mary Margaret-McMahon said a meeting has been scheduled with city staff, the mayor and festival organizers to discuss the future of the event and how to get it in compliance with regulations.

The SIU announced Friday that the officer who fatally shot Loku won't face criminal charges. It said firing his weapon was necessary to ward off an "imminent hammer attack."

The Black Lives Matter protest began at Nathan Phillips Square on Sundayafter that announcement and moved to Toronto Police headquarters on Monday.