Posted on 03/23/25
| News Source: JPost
Cities in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America are bracing for Friday's Al Quds Day, an event of intense and violent anti-Israel protests and rhetoric, with Toronto authorities warning participants against terrorist flags and hate crimes.
The Iran-backed protest holiday against Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem falls on the last Friday of Ramadan, but activists have planned events throughout the week, including Sunday marches in Toronto and London.
"Palestine resists, Zionism ceases to Exist," read a March 6 advertisement for a Toronto march organized by the Palestinian Youth Movement and Al-Quds Toronto.
In a Friday press briefing, Toronto Police Service Intelligence Services Superintendent Katherine Stephenson acknowledged increased tensions due to the war in the Levant and concerns expressed by some about potential hate speech and clashes between participants and counter-protesters.
Stephenson warned that the force would be "highly visible" to identify any criminality.
"I want to remind everyone that every reported instance of hate, including at demonstrations, is investigated," said Stephenson. This includes hate crimes, hate speech, hate signage, and flags of terrorist organizations designated by Public Safety Canada. And let me be very clear: charges can be laid at any time—whether it's hours, days, or even weeks after an incident."
TPS Emergency Management and Public Order Unit Acting Superintendent Craig Young said that the force wished to facilitate safe and lawful peaceful assembly and expression, but the law would be enforced.
"Engaging in confrontations with law enforcement, obstructing police, or resorting to violence is not acceptable, and we will not hesitate to enforce the law," said Young.