Eight people were arrested following a weekend protest and counter-protest in downtown Toronto during which participants hurled eggs, used toilet paper, and bags of urine at officers who were attempting to maintain order.
Toronto Police have laid 29 charges in connection with the ruckus that occurred after counter-protesters attended a Canada First “Stop Mass Immigration Rally” on Jan. 10.
Officers were at the demonstration in Nathan Phillips Square in the downtown core at 2 p.m. when tensions arose between the opposing factions, police said in a Jan. 11 press release.
Police did not name the groups involved in the demonstrations, but a counter-protest organized by Community Solidarity Toronto, a human rights coalition, was planned in the same location at 12:30 p.m.
The Toronto Sun reported the counter-protesters also included participants identifying as Antifa as well as some who have regularly taken part in the pro-Palestinian movement since the Hamas attack on Israel two years ago.
The officers’ efforts to maintain order were hindered when attendees became unruly, engaging in physical altercations with other protesters and with police, according to the press release.
Three of the eight people taken into custody were charged with assaulting an officer.
Media reports and videos posted on X showed the majority of the aggression coming from the counter-protesters when they tried to break through the line at the Canada First demonstration. Videos shared on social media indicated all of the arrests made were of counter-protesters.
One video posted to X showed officers using their bicycles to form a barrier to attempt to push back the counter-protesters. It also captured what appeared to be a counter-protester punching an officer in the head and an incendiary device landing near bystanders, many of whom were filming the melee on their phones.
The Toronto Police Association and Police Chief Myron Demkiw both took to social media on Jan. 11 to express their disapproval of the conduct exhibited by the unruly participants.
The association described the incident as “volatile,” adding that no officers were seriously hurt despite the “completely unacceptable and disgusting” behaviour exhibited.
“While trying to keep the situation safe for everyone, our members were pelted with eggs, used toilet paper, and plastic bags filled with what appeared to be urine. One police officer was punched,” the association said on X. “Our members will always facilitate peaceful and lawful demonstrations but this violence cannot and will not be tolerated.”
Demkiw posted a similar statement on X.
“This kind of violence against police officers, or anyone, is unacceptable — full stop,” he wrote. “Our officers are there to keep people safe, and they deserve to do their jobs without being attacked.”
Canada First Movement founder Joe Anidjar thanked the officers on his X account for their efforts during the demonstration.
“Thank you to everyone who came out yesterday and stood shoulder to shoulder with the Canada First Movement, and to the Toronto Police Service for their great work yesterday,” he said on Jan. 11. “We will be back!”
Eight Charged
Milton, Ont. resident Mahnoor Mohyuddin, 25, and Jennifer Vong, 35, of Toronto have both been charged with assaulting a peace officer with a weapon.
Both Mohyuddin and Vong were also charged with throwing an explosive at a person with intent to cause bodily harm, carrying a concealed weapon, endangering lives or public safety, and a handful of other charges.
They were scheduled to appear in court at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre on Jan. 11.
Charles Kaakee, 27, of Toronto was charged with assaulting a peace officer and being a member of an unlawful assembly.
Ottawa resident Abe Berglas, 23, and Toronto residents Kyle Stephens, 35, and Woodrow Fraser-Boychuk, 31, face three charges each while Toronto residents Darcy Belanger, 50, and Bryn Williams, 24, each face two charges.
The remaining six are scheduled to appear in court at the Ontario Court of Justice next month.
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