3 charged after officers allegedly assaulted at Toronto protests

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.

A 45-year-old woman was arrested at the first demonstration, while a 27-year-old woman and 25-year-old man were arrested outside a police station, police said in a news release. A spokesperson for an advocacy group that helped organize the demonstrations says the three people arrested were pro-Palestinian protesters.

All three were charged with assault of a peace officer, police say. 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.

Sayer added that police "used the amount of force necessary to safely remove protestors from a private event and to ensure public safety."

Jews Say No to Genocide Coalition and the Coalition Against Pinkwashing, two advocacy groups, organized the demonstrations. The groups said the first demonstration 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.

Toronto police say the alleged assaults of officers 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. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press)

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 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 and then instigated a fight with protesters.

"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 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. The man accused of throwing a water bottle at an officer allegeldy did so at this demonstration, police said.

A line of police officers greeted demonstrators at the police station, Tsabar said.

"The next thing we know, the line of police comes towards the crowd, jumps into the crowd," he said. "And they are kicking and shoving and punching and literally all over the place, pepper spraying the crowd."

"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.

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.