Eight arrested during anti-immigrant protest and counter-protest

 

Counter protesters criticize TPS actions at the demonstration

On January 10 at 1:00 pm, anti-immigrant protesters gathered at Nathan Phillips Square before marching through downtown Toronto to the Eaton Centre, drawing a strong counter-protest and police presence. During the protest and counter-protest, Toronto Police Service (TPS) arrested eight individuals, three of whom were charged with assaulting a peace officer.

Anti-immigrant demonstrators held signs that read “Make Canada Great Again” and “Stop the invasion” as families spent the Saturday afternoon skating on the rink next to the demonstration. A substantially larger group of counter-protesters was also present, chanting “Go home losers, go home racists,” and “shame!”

TPS presence at the demonstration was extensive, with more than 10 squad cars parked along Queen Street West. At Nathan Phillips Square, over 20 officers formed a barricade to contain counter-protesters. No similar measures were taken to contain the anti-immigrant demonstrators.

Around 2:00 pm, the anti-immigrant group began its march toward the Eaton Centre, which lasted more than two hours. Counter-protesters followed in opposition. TPS officers accompanied the march and blocked traffic at Dundas Street West and parts of Yonge Street to keep the march moving.

Members of the Canada First group carried Canadian flags and banners with slogans such as “fit in or fuck off” and “we need some Canadian ICE,” and some chanted calls for “quality immigrants only.”

Onlookers and counter-protesters shouted back, with some identifying themselves as immigrants and accusing the protesters of spreading hateful and exclusionary messages.  (more...)

Eight arrested during anti-immigrant protest and counter-protest