It was supposed to be a rally to draw attention to safe, affordable housing for abused women in Toronto , but the initially peaceful stand took a nasty turn when police descended on anti-poverty protestors occupying an abandoned building at 4 Howard St in the Bloor and Sherbourne area.

Tensions flared when cops moved in on the small group of protestors and officers eventually physically removed the women who were reportedly occupying private property. Five people were arrested.

The rally was organized by Women Against Poverty Collective, which aims to get some of the city's abandoned homes turned into affordable housing for abused women. They claim the provincial and federal governments aren't doing enough to support affordable housing and health care for victims of abuse.

"Women who are trying to leave violence are stuck in shelters for months instead of for the few weeks that they should be there with their kids," said WAPC member Anna Willats.

Before the occupation and confrontation, about 150 women pitched tents in a park across from the abandoned building. Some of the protesters allege that the police used excessive force Sunday, but officers involved insist it was reasonable given the circumstances.

"There was no force at all," said police inspector Gordon Sneddon. "We'd spoken to the organizers on numerous occasions asking them to move, and that wasn't forthcoming."