Toronto police preparing for ‘multiple protests’ this weekend, summer of demonstrations

Toronto police are preparing for multiple protests and demonstrations in the downtown core this weekend, with more to come as warmer weather arrives.

Police Chief James Ramer said motorists should anticipate delays due to a number of rolling road closures. He says the move is a preemptive measure by Toronto Police Services with more rallies expected in the city as the weather improves.

“In advance of what we anticipate to be a very busy summer is part of the reason why I am speaking here today,” said Ramer during a news conference from TPS headquarters on Friday morning. “It’s really to provide some assurance to the community, and to make them aware of some of the disruptions.”

He says more than a dozen demonstrations are expected this weekend but police do not anticipate any significant road closures. Police are not advising residents to stay out of any specific areas.

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Ramer says he has heard concerns about possible hate speech and confrontation between participants of an Al-Quds Day protest which is planned for Saturday afternoon and those who are opposed to the event.

Al-Quds Day is a yearly demonstration to express support for Palestinians and oppose Israel.

Ramer says officers from the police hate crime unit will be on the ground to gather evidence to investigate any suspected hate crimes, hate speech or signage.

He says the police will add more cameras and deploy officers who speak “different languages” to record what is being said amongst the crowds during the protests.

Ramer said officers will be working to minimize disruptions to the community and to facilitate peaceful and lawful demonstration. He noted that protests are allowed under the Charters of Right and Freedoms, but law enforcement will be proactive in shutting down hate speech or other unlawful behaviour.

“I again want to be clear, anyone whose behaviour crosses a line from lawful demonstration to criminality should expect to be arrested,” he said.

The precautions taken by Toronto police are not related to an anticipated biker rally that is expected to take over downtown Ottawa this weekend, according to the police chief.

“We have no indication of anything here in Toronto, but that is always being monitored,” he said.

In Ottawa, hundreds of police officers are on call as the city braces for the arrival of hundreds of “Rolling Thunder” motorcyclists.

The group said they will be descending upon the capital to “peacefully celebrate our freedom,” but has been mum on any other details surrounding the rally.

Files from The Canadian Press were used in this report