The Olympic torch relay was stalled on its way to Toronto's city centre Thursday night by a crush of protesters who said they are rallying for native treaty rights.
The protesters gathered at Univeristy Avenue and College Street at around 5:15 p.m., and moved eastward. By around 6:15 p.m. they had gathered between College Street and Dundas Avenue on Yonge Street.
Police cleared Yonge Street while torchbearers waited to ensure the path had cleared. As of 7 p.m., the torch relay was held up just south of the corner of Yonge Street and Bloor Street.
One group that publishes a website titled no2010.com said more than 100 people were expected to take part in the protest.
"The Olympics Torch is about colonial theft of indigenous land, corporate profit grabbing, ecological destruction, militarization and migrant exploitation," said a release on the site titled "No 2010 Olympics on Stolen Native Land."
"Take up the fight for Indigenous Sovereignty! Migrant Justice! Climate Justice! Income Equality!"
The flame was heading toward Nathan Phillips Square at city hall. Prior to the delay, it was expected to arrive there at 7 p.m.
Its arrival will also kick off a weekend series of events to whip up excitement for the Winter Olympics in Vancouver in February.
Dancers, singers, acrobats, as well as past and present Olympic athletes and civic leaders and residents from across the city, will welcome the flame.
Toronto selected Olympian Vicky Sunohara as the final torchbearer. She'll light the cauldron in the square that will stay lit until the end of the 2010 Winter Games.
"The task of lighting the cauldron at Nathan Phillips Square is a huge privilege for me," she said.
'I was one of those kids that nobody ever picked for their teams.'—Deepa Metha, Toronto filmmaker
Sunohara was a member of the gold-medal-winning Canadian women's hockey team in 2002 and 2006, and will be looking for her third gold medal in Vancouver.
"Not only is Vicky one of Canada's elite female athletes, she is a Torontonian and the granddaughter of immigrants representing the city's diversity which is one our most important strengths," said Toronto Mayor David Miller in announcing the final torchbearer.
"Vicky is well respected in our community and has worked tirelessly to help the youth of Toronto — especially young girls — develop their skills and fulfil their dreams."
It won't be just elite athletes carrying the torch through the streets of Canada's most populous city. In most cases, it will be ordinary people chosen because of their community service.
But there will be room for some celebrities, even those who never thought they would get the chance to run with the flame that symbolizes athletic achievement.
Toronto filmmaker Deepa Metha was surprised when she was chosen.
"I was absolutely thrilled because when I was growing up ... I was considered — and I guess I still am — a real nerd. I was one of those kids that nobody ever picked for their teams. I'm so unsporty," she told CBC News.
"Then I got this invite and I thought, 'My God this is wonderful.' "
Metha will carry the torch along Yonge Street from Gerrard Street to Dundas Square.
Earlier in the day, the torch relay touched down in communities in the eastern GTA.
Hundreds turned out in Oshawa, Whitby, Markham and Stouffville to see their neighbours, friends and family carry the long white torches through their communities.
"It's very exciting. It's a great way to unite all Canadians, and it knits us together in that we are part of the Olympics, just like every other community that's had the torch run come through," said Oshawa Mayor John Gray.
Thursday marks the 49th day of the 106-day, 45,000-kilometre Olympic torch relay across Canada leading up to the Games.