According to a statement released by the Toronto Police Service, officers were engaged in crowd management duties at the downtown protest when they took multiple people into custody.
The police statement comes amidst allegations of excessive use of force from some protesters with videos circulating online depicting tense confrontations between demonstrators and officers.
Tensions escalated during the protest when officers moved to seize a truck within the crowd, prompting what the police described as aggressive behaviour from some demonstrators towards them. One individual was charged with stunt driving for purportedly operating the truck with passengers in the cargo bed while it was in motion.
Furthermore, two women are facing charges of assaulting officers. One of them is accused of throwing horse manure at officers, while the other allegedly attempted to strike an officer with a flagpole.
In a press release issued on Sunday, the police stated that four additional men were detained for allegedly obstructing the arrests of one of the women. Three of these individuals were subsequently released unconditionally, while one was handed over to the Ontario Provincial Police due to an outstanding warrant unrelated to the protest.
The Palestinian Youth Movement, the group whose Toronto chapter has organised several protests in the city since October 7, took to Instagram, alleging that the police used “brutal tactics” and “violently” arrested six individuals during the event.
The group says the march had been proceeding peacefully through downtown for several hours before encountering police intervention. Organisers claimed that several individuals sustained injuries when the police cordoned off protesters in a particular area and then advanced on foot and horseback. Meanwhile, police said it had not received any reports of injuries following Saturday’s demonstrations.
The protest was held to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and the lifting of the blockade in Gaza.
Thousands of Jordanians gathered near the embassy for the seventh consecutive night to call for an end to the country’s peace treaty with Israel amid its brutal war on Gaza.
The PSD stated that some protesters had verbally and physically abused its officers, and damaged public property on Saturday and during previous demonstrations.
Demonstrators blocked roads and tried to be in “direct contact” with security officers, the PSD stated.
A video circulating on social media showed police officers dragging a female protester away, which the PSD stated it would investigate.
The PSD stated that its officers exercised “utmost restraint,” particularly toward female demonstrators. However, “a number of people were arrested” because they were violent.
Officers had acted with the “utmost discipline and professionalism,” the PSD stated.
It added: “The Public Security Directorate will continue its professional work in maintaining community security and peace and enabling citizens to express their opinions in accordance with the laws.
“It will also continue its work in implementing and enforcing the law against anyone who attempts to transgress, or incite by action or word against security personnel.”
Israel's attacks on Gaza were again protested in marches Saturday in Vienna, Berlin and Dublin.
A solidarity march for Palestine was held in the Austrian capital to protest Israel's attacks on Gaza.
Demonstrators gathered on Mariahilfer, one of the major streets, and carried Palestinian flags along with banners that read: "Urgent ceasefire", "No to genocide" and "Free Palestine."
Speeches were brief due to heavy rain. Demonstrators demanded a cease-fire and unimpeded delivery of aid to Gaza, where a humanitarian crisis has reached alarming levels.
In Berlin, a rally was held as many gathered at Hermann Square to protest Israel's attacks on Gaza and show solidarity with Palestine.
Demonstrators then marched from Kottbusserdamm and Adalbert streets to Oranien Square.
They had banners that read: "Freedom for Palestine", "Everyone has the right to life, freedom, and security - Palestinian lives matter", "Stop the genocide and occupation" and "Peace and justice for Palestinians," as protesters criticized the government for supplying weapons to Israel.
"Everyone with common sense should participate in this demonstration. We cannot remain silent in the face of such blatant genocide. People don't even have the opportunity to flee. That's why being here is my civic duty," Ellenora, who preferred not to give her last name, told Anadolu.
A protest was held at the Garden of Remembrance Park in Dublin that was organized by the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign. It attracted a large number of participants.
Carrying Palestinian flags, demonstrators marched to St. Stephen's Green Park.
They carried banners that read: "Stop the genocide in Gaza", "Ceasefire now" and "Freedom for Palestine."
Niall Greenan from the Mothers Against Genocide Association, who emphasized the importance of the Irish government knowing what the citizens think about Gaza, told Anadolu that "71% of the Irish people want a cease-fire and an end to the ongoing situation, and they don't want Ireland to support Israel. That's why we need to take to the streets and make this known."
Irish rugby player Tony Ward, also told Anadolu that his father is Jewish and said the events in Gaza are "unacceptable."
He noted the "difficulty" in understanding why a cease-fire has not been declared and said what is happening in Palestine is beyond comprehension.
