Second protester charged
Police release images of people they want to identify after violence at Sept. 30 rally at Confederation Square
City police have laid charges against a second person after violence broke out at a Sept. 30 counter-rally to a planned rally by white nationalists at Confederation Square.
Police are also turning to the public for assistance and have released several photographs in an attempt to identify several people as part of the investigation into the violence.
Anyone with information is asked to call city police at 705-876-1122 ext. 555 or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS or online at www.stopcrimehere.ca.
Violence broke out during the event, after hundreds gathered in the square as part of Solidarity Weekend, a show of unity in response to an anti-immigration rally planned by a white national group that ended up not happening.
Violence broke out at about 2:45 p.m. when several people covered their faces with bandanas. The counter-protesters identify as being part of Antifa, short for “anti-fascist.”
During the rally, police tried to remove a man in a Nazi T-shirt from the crowd by escorting them to a police cruiser when an unknown protester concealing their identity emerged from the crowd to strike the person in the head, police said.
One of the protesters – who gave the name Jane Way when interviewed by The Examiner – was initially arrested and held in a police cruiser before being released after protesters swarmed the cruiser, blocking traffic at George St. and McDonnel St. for about 20 minutes.
The investigation revealed that the name the protester provided to officers at the time of arrest was false, police said Thursday. The real identity was confirmed after further investigation.
“During the rally police attempted to remove a person from the crowd by escorting them to a police cruiser,” city police state in a release. “At that point an unknown protester concealing their identity emerged from the crowd and struck the person in the head. The protester was initially arrested and subsequently released unconditionally. The investigation revealed that the name the protester provided to officers at the time of arrest was false.”
Police later identified the suspect and went to a Toronto home Oct. 5.
William October, 22, of Richmond St. W., was charged with assault and obstructing peace officer.
October was released and will appear in court Oct. 26.
City police communications coordinator Lauren Gilchrist said the investigation into the rally continues and investigators would like to speak with the individuals.
“As it is an ongoing investigation we are not able to elaborate further at this time,” she stated.
A 22-year-old Wolfe St. man was also arrested after the man in the Nazi T-shirt was punched on the south side of the square, police said previously. Owen Lucas was charged with assault causing bodily harm.