Pro-Palestinian demonstration draws thousands
Marchers jam downtown streets for peaceful protest
A pro-Palestinian rally in downtown Toronto on Saturday afternoon drew thousands of demonstrators and led to one arrest, and comes after a week of heightened tensions between demonstrators and police.
Toronto police confirmed one person was arrested at about 4:15 p.m. for breach of peace and was unconditionally released. Video on X appears to show the person was a counterprotester who was part of a small group that appeared to confront pro-Palestinian demonstrators, as observed by the Star.
The roughly half-dozen counterprotesters arrived less than an hour into the rally, which began at 3 p.m., and inserted themselves into the crowd before being pulled out by police officers on bikes.
The rally, which began outside the U.S. Consulate General on University Avenue, south of Dundas Street, drew an estimated 2,500 demonstrators, according to figures provided to the Star by Toronto police.
Just after 4 p.m., the northbound stretch of University Avenue, north of Queen Street, was closed to traffic.
Shortly afterward, the demonstrators began marching north on University Avenue, then east on Dundas Street and north again on Bay Street, shutting down traffic in both directions. The crowd, holding signs and waving flags, spanned several city blocks.
The crowd stopped in front of Toronto police headquarters, at Bay and College streets, where smoke bombs were released amid chants and speeches about the significance of Al-Quds Day, which fell on Friday, and is an annual event held on the last Friday of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
The day is typically marked by global rallies in solidarity with the Palestinian people, and in opposition to the state of Israel and its occupation of Palestinian territories. Critics, however, have argued that Al-Quds Day is antisemitic and supports violence toward Israel.
During the protest, leaders recited chants calling for a “free Palestine” and in support of “the armed resistance.”
“When people are occupied, resistance is justified,” they shouted.
The rally returned to outside the U.S. Consulate General and ended at about 7 p.m. after several speeches, roughly four hours after it began.
Ahead of the demonstration, Ontario MPP and Solicitor General Michael Kerzner issued a statement on X condemning Al-Quds Day.
“Engagements in demonstrations that glorify terrorist groups, acts of hatred or calls for the destruction of a nation or ethnic group will be examined to the fullest extent of the law,” he wrote.
“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, and as Solicitor General, keeping the people of Ontario safe is my top priority.”
The rally follows a similar event last weekend, which resulted in several arrests after violent clashes between demonstrators and police officers.
Videos circulating online after the event appeared to show tense and at times chaotic scenes.
Police later said that “demonstrators became aggressive and assaultive towards officers,” alleging that one attendee threw horse manure at officials, while another allegedly used a flagpole to “spear” at an officer.
Some demonstrators, meanwhile, accused law enforcement of using excessive force.
Police Chief Myron Demkiw said in a statement Friday that officers “will continue to protect the rights of all Torontonians,” and asked that protesters work with police “to ensure peaceful and orderly gatherings.”
“It must be understood that when individual behaviour crosses into criminality, endangering officers or the public, we will enforce the law, as is our duty,” he said.