Police confirm man arrested following Take Back The Night

Sudbury Against Fascism is claiming what it calls "unjustified police brutality" during an arrest on Sept. 21 just after 9 p.m.

The incident took place following the end of the Take Back The Night March. In a Facebook post, one of the people involved in the incident — but who was not the one arrested — claims she and others of her group were assaulted by police.

Nana Bulikhar, who purports to be a member of Sudbury Against Fascism (SAF, which may be an extension, offshoot or rebranding of the Revolutionary Student Movement, that was tied to a rash of graffiti last winter), said in a profanity-laden Facebook post she and members of the SAF were hit and knocked to the ground by Greater Sudbury Police officers.

“I just got back from Take Back The Night 2017, where I and others from the Sudbury Against Fascism anti-fascist red bloc were brutalized by fascist pig oppressors.”

“The f--king cowardly pigs parked in a lot right across the street from TBTN and waited for us to leave before jumping on us. Seconds after we left the larger crowd and turned a corner, still within ear-shot, the pigs were on us. Without reason or warning - not that either would make this more acceptable.

“One pig hit me in the face, breaking my glasses and knocking them to the ground. They took one of my comrades down and rubbed their face in the dirt. The pigs held them down with knees on their head and back. They could barely breath, and I was panicking.

“F--k the f--king police. F--k the police! F--k! If you're a defender of the pigs, you are not a defender of the people."

A photo of broken glasses accompanied the post.

Greater Sudbury Police Service confirmed a 25-year-old man was arrested Sept. 21 after an arrest warrant was executed just after 9 p.m.

The suspect was wanted for failing to appear for fingerprints, said Staff Sgt. Marc Brunette, who couldn't verify whether the suspect had taken part in the Take Back The Night event, or if he was connected to the Sudbury Anti Fascism group.

SAF said in its statement, issued on Facebook Sunday morning, that what transpired that night shows police can't be trusted to protect the public.

The group says its members involved in the incident were "subjected to the fear and intimidation tactics regularly used by the police."

Following is an excerpt from the group's Facebook post. To read it in its entirety, click here.

"The cops attempted to undermine our right to videotape the horrific incident, and to take away our ability to protect ourselves and expose them with evidence. They used their power to make us question our legal rights - falsely insisting that we needed permission to videotape or share evidence of the attack, and bullying witnesses into giving their identity when they did not have to comply.

"Sudbury Against Fascism condemns this unprovoked and unjustified police brutality and intimidation against anti-fascists who were participating in Take Back The Night. This attack clearly shows that the police are defenders of white supremacy and patriarchy. It is also clear that we cannot rely on the cops to protect us. It is our duty to put our politics into action and protect each other from our oppressors."

Sudbury.com has contacted the police regardling these allegations, but has not heard back. These are allegations for which, so far, there's no proof. SAF said it will be releasing video of the arrest soon.