2 men arrested in relation to demonstration at Toronto Eaton Centre last December

Toronto police have arrested two men in connection to an incident last December between a demonstrator and another person during a pro-Palestinian protest in front of fashion retailer Zara.

Just before 5 p.m. on Dec. 17, 2023, police were in the area of the Eaton Centre for a demonstration when two men entered the mall and blocked the entrance to the fashion store, preventing employees from closing the doors.

Both men then allegedly began pushing security and tried to gain entry into the store. Police reportedly attempted to remove the protestors from the area, when one of the men pushed an officer and the other man used an umbrella to strike an officer.

Demonstrators reportedly banged on the store shutters and yelled at store employees and officers, and one man then made a verbal threat toward an individual in the mall.

Amro Saeed Ahmad Abufarick, 19, of Toronto, has been arrested and charged with unlawful assembly, being a member of an unlawful assembly while masked, mischief interfering with property, assaulting a peace officer and uttering threats.

Malek Said Ahma Abufarick, 34, of Toronto, has been arrested and charged with unlawful assembly, mischief interfering with property and assaulting a peace officer.

“As a reminder, the Service respects people’s right to demonstrate lawfully, but anyone whose behaviour crosses the line from lawful demonstration to criminality can be arrested,” said Toronto Police Services in a release.

“Just because someone is not issued a charge at the time does not mean that they cannot be laid at a later date. Officers will continue to investigate, gather evidence, and determine whether charges are appropriate.”

Editor’s note: On Feb. 9, 2024, Toronto police said upon further investigation all charges against Malek Said Ahma Abufarick were dropped.