A Canadian crowd laughed derisively at former White House strategist Steve Bannon on Friday and police made several arrests as protesters delayed the start of a controversial debate featuring Bannon and conservative commentator David Frum.
Toronto Police tweeted there had been "a number of arrests" but no reported injuries. The debate was delayed for about a half hour and Bannon was interrupted by a protester during his opening statement.
Toronto Police confirmed to NEWSTALK1010 Saturday morning that 12 arrests had been made. Charges included assault, trespassing and public mischief.
Two police officers suffered minor injuries.
Many in the crowd of 2,700 at the Munk debate groaned and laughed at Bannon when he said he hasn't seen a bad decision by President Donald Trump yet.
When Bannon earlier called it a very tough crowd, one audience member responded "No, smart."
"Trump's economic nationalism doesn't care about your race, your ethnicity or colour," Bannon said to a jeering crowd at another point.
The protester that interrupted the debate unfurled a banner that read "No Hate. No Bigoty. No Place for Bannon's White Supremacy."
NEWSTALK1010 morning host John Moore was also there and told Bill Hayes Saturday morning the heckling from protestors from those waiting in line to get in was intense.
"People would heckle us, shame on you. How do you empower Nazis? You are a Nazi. I thought I'm just going in to see two people debate, one of whom I'm not particularly impressed by, in terms of his politics. I want to hear what they have to say, it's a debate."
with files from NEWSTALK1010