Anti-Israel protesters faced surprising pushback from Toronto police after another attempt to occupy the Avenue Road overpass, leading to three arrests.
Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw announced January 11 that further protests along the overpass would no longer be tolerated.
The anti-Israel protest has ended on Avenue road with 3 arrested.
This overpass was chosen due to targeted harassment of the Jewish community.https://t.co/cIlPZDMsJ1 pic.twitter.com/xJwRQxxqlp
— Efrain Flores Monsanto 🇨🇦🚛 (@realmonsanto) January 13, 2024
“Our efforts to identify criminal offenses […] remains a priority for our service,” he said. “Moving forward, protests, demonstrations or the congregation of individuals on the Avenue Road overpass will not be permitted.”
“People can be expected to be arrested, if necessary,” added Demkiw.
BREAKING: Chief Myron Demkiw says Toronto police will no longer allow protests targeting the Jewish community on the Avenue Road overpass.
“People can expect to be arrested if necessary,” Demkiw says.https://t.co/iAWKHLz6Mr pic.twitter.com/h2ORlMpTDL
— Rebel News (@RebelNewsOnline) January 11, 2024
Despite providing ample warning, protesters attempted to occupy the overpass Saturday morning near Toronto’s largest Jewish neighbourhood, reported the National Post.
Video depicted anti-Israel protesters squaring-off with local law enforcement — many of whom disagreed with the police chief’s order.
Three arrests were made, including Cyrus Reynolds, 33, on a single charge of mischief.
Hesham Aly, 36, of Toronto, and 26-year-old Ali Nasser of Mississauga both face charges of obstructing a peace officer.
All are scheduled to appear in court in February.
Police followed through on arrests later in the afternoon. #cdnpoli #Toronto #Palestine #Israel #Gaza #ProtestMania pic.twitter.com/f4nbcqEWEd
— Caryma Sa’d – Lawyer + Political Satirist (@CarymaRules) January 13, 2024
Jewish residents had said they felt intimidated and harassed by earlier protests, despite advocates insisting the contrary.
Among the protesters there was paraphernalia depicting Adolf Hitler and related Nazi imagery. The overpass is within walking distance of nine synagogues and several Jewish businesses, homes, schools, daycares and community centres.
SHOWDOWN: Toronto anti-Israel protesters face police who threaten to arrest if they don’t leave the Avenue road overpass.
Public order police are standing by.https://t.co/cIlPZDMsJ1 and updates to follow @Rebelnewsonline pic.twitter.com/bsbvbIoFfF
— Efrain Flores Monsanto 🇨🇦🚛 (@realmonsanto) January 13, 2024
Demkiw told reporters that earlier protests had escalated tensions and posed a serious risk to public safety.
“Hate and intimidation can have no space in our city,” he said. “We have been unwavering in our commitment to restore the sense of public safety, and not tolerate behaviour that crosses the line to criminal activity.”
Anti-Israel protests became frequent in the Greater Toronto Area, following the October 7 terrorist attacks by Hamas, the governing body of the Gaza Strip, leaving 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals dead.
Toronto anti-Israel protester was arrested for demonstrating on Avenue road’s overpass.
More to follow.https://t.co/cIlPZDMsJ1 to sign the petition. pic.twitter.com/7vUDVAGJRG
— Efrain Flores Monsanto 🇨🇦🚛 (@realmonsanto) January 13, 2024
Anti-Israel protests immediately began boycotting Jewish-owned businesses, and targeting politicians who are not emphatically pro-Palestine.
