Toronto police say they will have an increased presence downtown this weekend as more than a dozen protests take place, including a pro-Palestinian rally that has been the scene of clashes between protesters. in the past.
Police Chief James Ramer held a news conference Friday morning to discuss operational planning for this weekend’s protests.
He said some members of the public have raised concerns in recent days about an Al-Quds Day protest planned for Saturday afternoon in the city center, specifically re-qualifying the “potential for hate speech, as well as the potential for confrontation between the participants and those”. who oppose the event.
“I think we can all agree that there is no place for this,” Ramer said. “I want to assure those with these concerns that, as with all demonstrations, the Toronto Police Service will be visibly present and will actively monitor these events. As always, we respect the constitutional rights of individuals and will facilitate legal and peaceful protest. What we will not tolerate is civil disobedience and violence or hateful behavior that crosses the line into criminality.”
Members of the Jewish community have raised concerns about anti-Semitic speech at Al-Quds Day protests in the past and called on the city to prevent the rally from taking place.
Ramer said given the concerns, police are taking several steps to ensure the event remains peaceful, including posting members of the Hate Crimes Unit on the ground so they can immediately investigate any “suspected hate crimes.” hate or hate speech or signaling.”
He said the service will also include officers who speak different languages in the crowd “so they can record first-hand what is being said in the crowd and at speeches.”
Finally, police will also install an additional camera near the side of the planned protest outside the University Avenue courthouse to help with any investigations that may arise from the protest.
“The charter allows for freedom of expression and the ability to demonstrate, so we will facilitate those events. However, you know, we are monitoring this and freedom of expression has a limit,” said Ramer. “We will be recording everything that happens and if there is something that is determined to cross the line into criminality, we will proceed in terms of prosecution.”
The PM has spoken out against the Al Quds Day rally in the past
Prime Minister Doug Ford promised in 2018 to “take steps to ensure that events like Al Quds Day, which calls for the killing of an entire civilian population in Israel, are no longer part of the landscape in Ontario.”
The protest did not take place in 2020 or 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but will return to the streets this weekend.
In a statement issued Friday, Toronto Mayor John Tory said he is hopeful that all demonstrations this weekend, including the Al-Quds Day rally, will be “free from hate, violence, discrimination.” and bullying.”
But he said if that is not the case, police will have his “full support” in doing whatever is necessary to hold accountable those who engage in hateful behavior.
“As we know, hate crimes are on the rise in North America, including in Toronto. We have seen an unfortunate increase in hate crimes against all communities. The Toronto Police Hate Crime Report indicates that Toronto’s Jewish community is the most targeted group,” he said. “We must, as a city and as residents, do everything we can to combat anti-Semitism and hate in all its forms, and that includes our duty to protect the sanctity of public spaces to ensure everyone feels safe everywhere in Toronto. ”.
Police say there will be a total of 14 protests of varying sizes in the center this weekend, including the Al-Quds Day event.
They say mobile and static road closures could be put in place to accommodate the protests and anyone heading downtown should be prepared to face some delays when moving.
Reference-www.cp24.com