G20 protest area moved by Toronto police

Trinity Bellwoods Park, which is surrounded by residences, will not be used as the designated speech area in Toronto for protesters during the G20 Summit, police said Thursday.

Instead, police will establish a protest zone outside of Queen's Park.

Coun. Joe Pantalone told Lorenda Reddekopp of CBC News the new site was chosen because it's largely free of residences.

"It’s more contained and really there's no homes that face into it or back into it," said Pantalone.

"There's a lot of experience there where people are allowed to express their democratic opinions while at the same not in any way shape or form having serious negative effects on Torontonians."

Designated speech areas are designed to give protesters a safe place to gather, make their voices heard and access the media.

The G20 summit will take place June 26 and 27 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in the downtown, near the Rogers Centre.