Protesters go on Toronto Rampage

More than 400 people were arrested in Toronto during the Global Economic Summit

TORONTO – Police say they have arrested more than 400 protesters after a group of ‘black-clad’ rioters broke away from an otherwise peaceful rally in Toronto, Canada yesterday.

The rally, sponsored by labor unions, began with a peaceful march, but soon turned into a full fledged riot as a large group broke away from the rally and began smashing shop windows and torching police crusiers.

Riot police soon engaged the rioters as they traded pepper spray and gas canisters for rocks and bottles.

Officials are saying the break-away group was trying to create a distraction for police so that the main rally could make it’s way toward the summit where Barrack Obama and other top world officials were in meeting. Their intent was allegedly to disrupt the meeting.

Toronto police chief Bill Blair said, “We have never seen that level of wanton criminality and vandalism and destruction on our streets.”

The riot brought nearly 20,000 police officers from around Canada to reinforce Toronto City at an estimated cost of nearly $1 billion.

Police say they were aware of the plans and were prepared, even constructing a temporary holding facility for prisoners in advance, but are now worried that a possible rally this afternoon may also turn violent.