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Up to 2000 protesters from the Tamil community have moved onto the Gardiner Expressway blocking evening traffic in both directions at Spadina Avenue.
Mounted police officers are making their way to the scene right now. There are reports that protesters have assaulted officers and have thrown bicycles off the overpass. It appears police from York Region and Peel Region are being called in for backup.
Police are asking all motorists in the eastbound lanes to exit through the Jamieson ramp.
Police tell CP24 they had no warning the protest would move onto the highway. They say some of the protesters are being uncooperative. They are trying to put together a plan to handle the crowd.
Protestors tell CP24 that spilling onto the Gardiner was unplanned. It is the first time they have blocked a major highway in the city.
The demonstrators quickly mobilized Sunday for their latest march in hopes for peace in Sri Lanka.
The protesters have rallied outside the U.S. consulate on University Avenue several times over the last few weeks. In one incident, the demonstration lasted four days. Four people were arrested at the April 29, 2009 protest.
Earlier today police shut down Bay Street between Queen Street and College Street because the protest pilled onto the road. At one point, protesters moved along Dundas Street near University Avenue, stalling two streetcars. They continued to move along Spadina on their way to the Gardiner.
The series of protests are in response to what they call a genocide in Sri Lanka and are generally peaceful. Toronto has one of the largest Tamil populations outside Sei Lanka.
Today's rally is in response to reports from a rebel-linked Web site that civilians have been killed in a massive artillery barrage fired into the northern war zone by Sri Lankan forces.
TamilNet said 257 bodies have been brought to a makeshift hospital in the area following hours of unrelenting shell attacks that lasted until Sunday morning.
Stay with CP24 for further updates on this developing story.
-With a report from the Associated Press
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