A new coalition, comprised primarily of sovereigntist groups in Quebec, is demanding a public inquiry into the treatment of protesters during the recent G20 summit in Toronto.

More than 1,000 people were arrested during the G20 protests. (CBC)Some Quebecers who attended the protests have claimed that they were unfairly targeted because they spoke French.

Peaceful protesters were arrested in an "arbitrary and abusive" manner and were detained in "execrable" conditions, the coalition members said.

"There were twice as many arrests made in Toronto than during the October crisis, and they were targeting Quebecers," said Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste president Mario Beaulieu. "It is sure that it is not the same scope, it is not the same era, but that something like this could happen today — I say it is really surprising."

Thomas Deshaies, spokesman for the Mouvement pacifique pour l'indépendance du Québec, said he was arrested during the protests.

In the gym where he was held, Deshaies said there were about 100 other Quebecers along with many others held in other detention facilities.

Deshaies said his experience led him to believe that police were targeting protesters from Quebec.

"We can only recount the facts and say this is what we saw, this is what we experienced," said Deshaies. "We want to know if that was really the case, and if it was — it is very serious and there should be measures taken."

France Kirouette said she was thrown in a Toronto jail after she was arrested at the University of Toronto.

"I spent 60 hours in a jail in conditions I deem unacceptable — without access to beds or blankets, or enough water," said Kirouette. "I had a lot of racist comments."

Beaulieu said another protester described how he was surrounded by police who insulted, intimidated and spat on him.Members of the coalition say protesters were arrested in an arbitrary and abusive manner. (CBC) (CBC)

"They took his things and said. 'Welcome to Toronto,'" she said.

The coalition said it will also hold a fundraiser on Wednesday to help those arrested during the G20 protests cover their legal expenses.

More than 1,000 people were arrested during the G20 protests and about 800 were later released without charge.

The Toronto Police Service's civilian oversight board and Ontario's Office of the Independent Police Review Director have been swamped with complaints in the wake of the G20.

Toronto police Chief Bill Blair has defended officers' handling of the protests. He said the response was reasonable because a small group among the G20 protesters broke off from the main demonstrations to smash store windows and commit other acts of vandalism.

The force said it will conduct its own internal probe of G20 policing, while the Toronto Police Services Board has also pledged a review.