Police arrest APEC lawyer at Chretien speech

A lawyer who represented APEC protesters is demanding an apology from the Vancouver Police Department for arresting him while he attended a Chinatown appearance of the Prime Minister.

Cameron Ward says police nabbed him as he was walking to his car.

Prime Minister Jean Chrtien had just finished his speech when there was a commotion in the crowd. Police said they had information that someone planned to throw a pie, so they arrested William Christiansen.

But around the corner, Cameron Ward was also arrested.

"I was handcuffed by three police officers who took my wallet and cell phone and ID, and I asked whether I was under arrest and they did not answer that. They slapped the handcuffs on me," said Ward.

The Vancouver lawyer says he was taken to jail and detained for five hours. Police say he matched the description of the suspected pie thrower.

Police also seized Ward's car, which was parked nearby.

"Now I'm just a lawyer," said Ward, "but last time I checked it wasn't a criminal offence to carry pastries around in one's trunk. I didn't have pastries in my trunk."

Ward came to national attention when he represented a number of student protesters during the APEC inquiry, which arose out of the 1997 APEC conference, when protesters were pepper-sprayed and arrested during peaceful demonstrations.

Ward says he has to wonder "whether my previous activities on the legal front had anything to do with this. I have to wonder."

The B.C. Civil Liberties Association says Ward's rights were violated.

No pies were thrown at the prime minister.

The other man arrested says he was eating a piece of cake.

Ward is asking for an apology and an explanation.