Lawyer says release conditions violated Charter rights of arrested bike lane protesters

A lawyer for four people arrested during protests against bike lane removal on Bloor Street West in Etobicoke says their Charter rights were violated by release conditions set by Toronto police, which barred them from attending future protests. Attorney Leora Smith argued Tuesday that the accused were given an ultimatum to either spend the night in jail or sign a form prohibiting protest attendance, calling this a serious violation of rights to freedom of expression, association, and assembly. Toronto police defended the arrests, stating the four face charges of obstructing police and mischief for allegedly blocking construction crews, not for peaceful protest. The protests began Oct. 13, briefly halting work crews before removals proceeded. Organizer David Shellnutt criticized police tactics and vowed larger protests when the province removes bike lanes on other arteries like University Avenue.