‘Hatred has no place in the city’: Tory calls for peace at future Palestinian-Israeli protests
Posted May 19, 2021 5:02 pm.
Last Updated May 19, 2021 5:17 pm.
Mayor John Tory said he wants to send a clear message that violence will not be tolerated ahead of any possible future protests in Toronto surrounding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
At least one incident of assault that occurred at a protest at Nathan Phillips Square is currently being investigated by Toronto police.
“I know there are many people in the city deeply concerned about the situation in the Middle East. The violence there is deeply upsetting to see and we all want to see a peaceful resolution reached as soon as possible,” said Tory.
He said hatred, threats, hateful language and imagery and physical violence has no place in Toronto. “All residents, with no exceptions, have the right to live and to worship in our city, free of fear.”
Tory said he has spoken with leaders in Muslim community “interested in the Palestinian cause” and leaders in the Jewish community to reiterate his position that “violence by anyone against anyone or any community cannot and will not ever be accepted.”
Thousands of people gathered Saturday for a vocal but relatively peaceful protest in response to the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
However, social media videos circulating that show a person being assaulted by a group of people are currently being investigated by police.
“We avoid conflict and violence even when it rages in other parts of the world where we have many friends and loved ones,” added Tory.
The videos, which were released on Twitter on Saturday evening, appear to show a group of people attacking and chasing a person with sticks. In another scene, two groups appear to be attacking each other.
Car alarms and the sounds of people yelling and screaming can be heard in the video.
Tory said police will investigate any allegation of violence that comes to light during or around any protest to determine if it was hate-motivated.
He also added while residents are encouraged not to gather during the provincial stay-at-home order due to the COVID-19 pandemic, citizens have the right to protest and must do so peacefully.
