The video shows a group of people trying to enter the Eaton Center without masks after a demonstration against vaccines

Toronto police arrested and charged a man and a woman with battery in connection with an incident at the Eaton Center following a protest against vaccines on Saturday.

Police say the two people were among a group of people who clashed with security personnel at the mall.

In a video posted on social media by attorney Caryma Sa’d, protesters can be seen trying to enter the mall without a mask, in violation of public health measures.

Police said an Eaton Center security guard was assaulted during the incident, adding that no protesters or mall personnel were injured.

“Division 51 and 52 crew officers attended the incident,” Toronto police spokesman Ed Parks told the Star, adding that police-mounted units were on standby.

Sa’d felt the police response was “in stark contrast to other forms of policing that we have seen in Toronto this summer, most notably with respect to the camps. I witnessed how people assaulted police officers and security guards with seemingly little or no repercussions. “

The incident took place after a planned anti-vaccine demonstration in Yonge-Dundas Square, in which well-known COVID-19 conspiracy theorist Christopher Saccoccia used statements to encourage people to “join in” and disobey masking laws, Sa’d said by phone.

“He did several statements in which it is clear that he was inciting people to unite in what he called united non-compliance, to disobey the commands of the masks and the commands of the vaccines ”. she said.

Toronto police declined to comment on Saccoccia or anyone else’s involvement, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.

Michael Leaf, 29, of Thornhill, and Vanessa Carvalho, 23, of Brampton, were each charged with one count of battery. They are scheduled to appear in court on December 15.

The Star reached out to Cadillac Fairview, owner of the Eaton Center, for comment and is waiting for a response.

The city of Toronto held a series of mobile vaccine clinics at various shopping malls on Saturday and Sunday, including at Eaton Center, Sherway Gardens, and Yorkdale Mall, among others.

People can get the first or second dose at these pop-up sites.