Police union urges Chow to condemn protest letter
Six city councillors signed complaint about rally clashes
The Toronto Police Association is calling on the mayor to “condemn” a letter signed by six councillors about recent clashes between proPalestinian protesters and officers, along with the removal of two of those councillors from the police service board.
The association, which represents nearly 8,000 uniform and civilian members of the Toronto Police Service, criticized the letter, which was issued Thursday and included the signatures of councillors Lily Cheng and Amber Morley, who sit on the board. The other four councillors who signed the letter are Gord Perks, Alejandra Bravo, Ausma Malik and Paula Fletcher.
Their letter noted that the councillors had heard from “hundreds of residents” who were concerned about a March 30 pro-Palestinian protest, in which several were arrested after clashing with police.
Some demonstrators haveaccused police of using excessive force.
The councillors noted that freedom of assembly must be protected during these “difficult times of heightened tension,” marked by protests..
In response, both the TPA and the Toronto police chief issued separate statements on Friday.
“The service will always respect the right to lawful assembly, which we have done, consistently, since Oct. 7,” said Chief Myron Demkiw, adding officers have worked to maintain public safety at more than 500 demonstrations since the Middle East conflict began.
“Last weekend alone, police officers were assaulted, spit on, a police horse was struck, lawful orders not followed, and demonstrators attempted to obstruct officers who were effecting arrests … Arrests were made in these matters. Other demonstrators continued to exercise their freedom of expression and were always free to depart the area,” said Demkiw.
His comments were echoed by the TPA, which said in its statement that “officers have been threatened with injury or death.”
“Will Mayor (Olivia) Chow condemn the message sent by these councillors and come out publicly in support of our members?” asked the TPA. “Will Councillors Morley and Cheng recuse themselves from the police services board and, if not, will Mayor Chow remove them?”
The Star reached out to Chow and Morley for comment, but did not hear back before publication time.
Meanwhile, Cheng told the Star that she would not step down from the board, adding the signed letter didn’t fully capture how she feels. As a result, she put out her own “revised statement” on social media Friday, after hearing from community members.
“Signing the letter in its final form was a mistake,” reads Cheng’s statement. “We did not have the opportunity to review the final version. We did NOT endorse the final version.”
On Friday, Toronto police said policing the demonstrations has cost more than $12 million, including $4.6 million in overtime pay.
Deputy Chief Lauren Pogue told reporters officers are attending demonstrations “nearly every day,” with some involving thousands of people. Since Oct. 7, police have attended more than 500 demonstrations as part of their ongoing operation Project Resolute, she said.