Ford Calls Violent Actions At Big Protests 'Reprehensible' & Wants Investigation
He says acts of violence "have no place in Ontario."
Two different protests in Toronto took place over the weekend, and Toronto Police have laid out charges to three individuals following both events.
On Saturday, May 15, an anti-lockdown protest marched from Queen's Park and through the streets of downtown Toronto. According to a TPS statement, around 5,000 people were in attendance.
During this protest, a couple of TPS officers reportedly received minor injuries, with one officer being bitten. Tarik Elzaabalawi, 24, was charged with two counts of assault on a police officer, and mischief under $5,000.
On the same day, a Palestinian Youth Movement demonstration took place in Nathan Phillips Square. TPS says that around 5,000 people were also in attendance at this event. The Toronto Star says the protest was largely peaceful with attendees marching and chanting.
During the demonstration, police laid charges to Hamza Alkiswany, 22, for assault, and Connor Campbell, 29, for bringing a weapon to a public meeting.
Premier Doug Ford tweeted about the actions that took place at both protests and said "these acts of violence and expression of antisemitism have no place in Ontario." Ford followed up by saying that any kind of discrimination or hatred towards any community should never be tolerated in the province.
TPS reported there's also a video circulating on social media of a man being assaulted by several people near Nathan Phillips Square, which the police service says it's actively investigating. Anyone who has information on this event is asked to contact the 52 Division at 416-808-5200 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).