No Place For Hate at Demo
Police will be facilitating lawful protest as part of Al-Quds Day on March 23 but will not tolerate anyone obstructing police, engaging in violence or hate speech.
At a news conference at Toronto Police headquarters on March 21, Acting Superintendent Craig Young of the Emergency Management & Public Order unit said roadway disruptions and restrictions should be anticipated in the downtown core on Sunday.
“As always, our top priority is to make sure everyone is safe,” he said. “We are working closely with our municipal, provincial and federal partners as well as our intelligence services to monitor potential threats and respond to any situation that may arise. It is also our role to engage with the event organizers with whom we are always clear on what lawful demonstrations include and do not include.”
Young noted that the Service’s Police Liaison Team is deployed to engage with organizers to facilitate peaceful demonstrations, reduce tensions and ensure effective communication between the public and police during protests and demonstrations.
“People have the lawful right to gather peacefully and express themselves,” he said. “And of course while doing so, everyone must respect the law… We will continue to balance the right to protest with the need to maintain public order and public safety as well as the safety of our members. It is important to recognize that interfering with our ability to maintain order and provide public safety will indeed have potential consequences. Engaging in confrontations with law enforcement, obstructing police or resorting to violence is not acceptable and we will not hesitate to enforce the law.”
Superintendent Katherine Stephenson of Intelligence Services issued a stern reminder that hate has no place in Toronto.
“This weekend, Toronto Police will be highly visible and our members will be present throughout the demonstration area to proactively identify instances of hate, including in speeches, chants and signage,” she said. “I want to remind everyone that every reported instance of hate, including at demonstrations, is investigated. This includes hate crimes, hate speech, hate signage and flags of terrorist organizations designated by Public Safety Canada.”
Stephenson said charges can be laid at any time, whether it is hours, days or even weeks after an incident.
“For example, earlier this week after a lengthy investigation, we announced that very serious charges had been laid against an individual advocating genocide and willful promotion of hatred,” she added. “We will not hesitate to arrest and charge anyone who engages in criminal activity.”
