Toronto - Friday July 20, 2007
Press Release: Chilean community demands a thorough investigation of the Toronto Police actions over Chilean Under-20 soccer team
The Chilean community of Toronto is shocked and dismayed after learning how the Toronto Police mistreated the National Chilean Under-20 soccer team after the game of Thursday July 19 at Toronto's BMO National Stadium. According to direct witnesses of these events and press reports, several Chilean players were handcuffed, given electric shocks; tear gassed, kicked and treated as criminals by Toronto Police. There is no clear rationale why the police used electric tasers and other forms of violent repression against international un-armed athletes; the members of the Chilean community feel this is a clear act of discrimination and abuse of power, therefore the Chilean community demands:
- A thorough investigation of these events;
- Sanctions for those responsible of actions carried out by the Toronto Police; and
- A public apology from the Toronto Police to the members of the Chilean Under -20 soccer team, the Chilean community of Toronto, and the people of Chile.
For more information please contact
Patricio Bascuñán, President
Carlos Ulloa, Public Relations
Casa Salvador Allende Cultural Society of Toronto
publicrelations@casasalvadorallende.com
Telephone: 416-894-8171 |