Police Chief James Ramer gave a press conference Friday morning to discuss the operational planning of this weekend’s protests.
He said some members of the public had expressed concern in recent days about an al-Quds Day demonstration scheduled for Saturday afternoon in the city center, specifically downplaying the “possibility of hate speech and the possibility of a clash between participants and those who are opposed to the event “.
“I think we can all agree that there is no room for that,” Ramer said.  “I want to reassure those who have these concerns that, like all demonstrations, the Toronto Police Department will be clearly present and actively monitoring these events.  As always, we respect the rights of the people charter and will facilitate legal and peaceful protest.  “What we will not tolerate is political disobedience and violence or hate behavior that goes beyond crime.”
Members of the Jewish community have expressed concern about anti-Semitic speech in past Al-Quds Day demonstrations and have called on the city to prevent the rally.
Ramer said that because of concerns, police are taking steps to ensure the event remains peaceful, including placing members of the Hate Crime Unit on the ground so they can immediately investigate any “suspected hate crimes or rhetorical hatred.” ».
He said the service would also integrate officers who speak different languages ​​”so that they can record first-hand what is said between the crowds and the speeches”.
Finally, the police will also install an additional camera near the planned protest side outside the courthouse on University Avenue to assist in any investigations that may arise from the protest.
“The map allows for freedom of expression and the ability to demonstrate, so we will facilitate these events.  “However, you know, we are watching it and freedom of expression has a limit,” Ramer said.  “We will record everything that happens and if there is anything that is determined to go beyond the limits of crime, we will prosecute.”
The Prime Minister has spoken openly against the gathering of Al Quds Day in the past
Prime Minister Doug Ford promised in 2018 “to take steps to ensure that events such as Al Qaeda Day, which calls for the killing of the entire civilian population in Israel, will no longer be part of the Ontario landscape.”
The protest did not take place in 2020 or 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but is set to return to the streets this weekend.
In a statement issued Friday, Toronto Mayor John Tori said he hoped all demonstrations this weekend, including the Al Kunds Day rally, were “without hatred, without violence, without discrimination and without harassment.”
But he said that if that did not happen, the police would have “full support” in doing what is necessary to hold those involved in hate speech accountable.
“As we know, hate crimes are on the rise throughout North America, including Toronto.  We have seen an unfortunate increase in hate crimes against all communities.  “The Toronto police hate crime report shows that the Toronto Jewish community is the most targeted group,” he said.  “As a city and as a people, we must do everything we can to combat anti-Semitism and hatred in all its forms, and that includes our duty to protect the sanctity of public spaces to ensure that everyone feels safe everywhere in Toronto.”
Police say there will be a total of 14 protests of various sizes in downtown this weekend, including the Al-Quds Day event.
They say rolling and static roadblocks could be implemented to facilitate protests and that anyone heading to the city center should be prepared to deal with some delays in travel.