Three people were arrested and charged on Wednesday at protests in downtown Toronto, where police allege they assaulted two officers.
The alleged assaults happened outside Meridian Hall in the area of Yonge Street and Front Street E. at about 6 p.m. and later outside the headquarters of police’s 51 Division at Parliament Street and Front Street E., according to police.
One woman, 45, was arrested at the first demonstration, while a woman, 27, and a man, 25, were arrested outside a police station, police said in the release. A spokesperson for an advocacy group says all three were pro-Palestinian protesters.
All three were charged with assault of a peace officer, police said in a news release on Thursday. The man was also charged with assault with a weapon. He is accused of throwing a water bottle at an officer that struck the officer in the face.
Stephanie Sayer, spokesperson for the Toronto Police Service, said in an email on Thursday that police are looking for two other demonstrators.
“There were a number of officers assaulted last night — shoved or spit on — but two officers sustained minor injuries. No medical attention was required,” Sayer said in the email.
Jews Say No to Genocide Coalition and the Coalition Against Pinkwashing, two advocacy groups, organized the demonstrations. The groups said in a news release that the first was in support of Palestinian people and against the hosting of “figures who actively promote war crimes and bigotry.”
At Meridian Hall, the UJA (United Jewish Appeal) Federation of Greater Toronto was launching its annual campaign. The event was said to feature U.S. journalist Bari Weiss, Israeli actress Shira Haas, U.S. author and Rabbi David Wolpe, and Shlomo Lipman, an Israeli soldier who is a singer.
Police said the group of demonstrators protesting the event at Meridian Hall tried to get into the event. Officers removed the protesters and a woman became combative, police added. Police alleged the woman assaulted an officer.
Police behaviour ‘cowardly,’ advocate says
Gur Tsabar, spokesperson for the Jews Say No to Genocide Coalition, said the protest outside Meridian Hall was peaceful. He said the protesters did get into the building and protested at the box office and lobby. He said police officers dragged numerous people out of the venue.
“One protester fell down to the ground, and the next thing we know, she’s in handcuffs,” Tsabar said.
Video on social media appeared to show police dragging one woman from the event.
Members of the group then tried to find out where she was taken and marched to 51 Division after learning the protester was taken there, he said.
At 51 Division, police said the demonstrators became combative again and said a woman assaulted another officer. A male demonstrator threw the water bottle at an officer at this demonstration, police added.
A line of police officers greeted demonstrators at the police station, Tsabar said.
“And then the next thing we know, the line of police comes towards the crowd, jumps into the crowd,” he said.
“It was the most cowardly and obscene behaviour you can imagine. They literally caused a riot in front of the division with people who are begging for the state, trying for the state, to stop being complicit in a genocide,” he said.
At ongoing emergency measures hearings before the International Court of Justice, Israel has repeatedly and strongly denied charges that its campaign in Gaza amounts to genocide.
The groups are compiling videos of the incident, Tsabar said.
Tsabar said another six protesters were arrested. At least three were taken to hospital and some were released, he said.
CBC News has contacted police for additional comment.
The 45-year-old woman is due to appear in court on Oct. 17. The 27-year-old woman and the 25-year-old man are due to appear in court on Oct. 21.