Community members were initially kept out of the 519 by police. 519 staff later convince police to allow people into the lobby.
Michelle Hill was inside initially but was ejected after she called 'shame!' on a police speaker.
The crowd in the street grew to about 100.
They chanted, 'No photo ops with the fuckin' cops,' 'Pinkwashing bullshit,' and 'No justice, no peace, no homophobic police.'
Pride executive director Tracey Sandilands attempted to appease the crowd with a megaphone...
She was not successful.
Lawyer Douglas Elliott spoke inside the 519.
Blair arrived to jeers from queer community members. He nevertheless pushed through the crowd, tipping his hat on the way.
On the way in.
Once inside, Blair warmed up the nearly empty room with a joke: 'So, how was your weekend?' Film maker Malcolm Ingram replied, 'I was detained.' Blair said, 'Well I guess I had a better weekend that you did my friend.' It wasn't that funny but people laughed nervously.
My Pride Includes Free Speech! Get your handy sign in this issue of Xtra.
:-( Hey! There's no need to be like that.
As one of the first events of Pride Week in Toronto, police chief Bill Blair and Toronto Police Services Board chair Alok Mukherjee held the annual Board and Chief’s Pride Reception at the 519 Church St Community Centre today.
After a weekend of martial law in the city centre, with more than 800 arrests over the course of the G20, Blair was not received warmly. Check it out in pictures above.
Why you can trust Xtra
