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Protesters block downtown Toronto roads ahead of economic and climate summit

WATCH ABOVE: A smaller crowd than expected turned out Wednesday morning.

TORONTO – More than a hundred protesters lined the streets of downtown Toronto and blocked intersections ahead of the scheduled Pan Am Economic and Climate Summits Wednesday morning.

A march began from Berczy Park at Church and Wellington Streets to the Fairmont Royal York Hotel where both summits are being held.

“I am deeply concerned, and have been for some time, the business practices, the political practices and the disregard for the environment and the global economy,” said protester Wesley Williams.

Demonstrators had split up into two groups and blocked off both the intersections of York and Front, as well as Bay and Wellington for several hours.

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Roads reopened after the crowd eventually left the area and congregated to Nathan Phillips Square.

The summit protest also caused a number of transit disruptions in the area during the morning rush hour.

The two-day Climate Summit of the Americas hosted by Ontario aims to bolster the fight against global warming.

READ MORE: International summit this week aims to bolster climate-change fight

Meanwhile, more than 100 speakers and 2,800 delegates representing more than 40 countries are also meeting at the International Economic Forum of the Americas ahead of the Pan Am Games.

The two-day event is scheduled to focus on topics such as economic growth, disruptive technologies, infrastructure development, changing global trade routes, and the new era of manufacturing.

Doug Gamey/Global News

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