York police issue warning about demonstration near synagogue

York Regional Police (YRP) says members of the Hate Crime Unit were on hand at a demonstration near an Orthodox synagogue in Vaughan on Monday night, and they won’t hesitate to make arrests if warranted.

The demonstration in the area of Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto synagogue, known as the BAYT, began around 6:30 p.m. and concluded just before 11 p.m.

The crowds, which were separated by the road between and rows of police, dawned Palestinian and Israeli flags while shouting chants across the pavement.

Police say there were no reports of property damage or assaults during the demonstration.

York police closed Clark Avenue between Bathurst Street and Atkinson Avenue and York Hill Boulevard between Clark Avenue and Dana Crescent during the demonstration.

Drivers were asked to avoid the area and find alternate routes.

In a message posted to social media, YRP said while its primary goal is to “keep the peace,” officers will make arrests on the spot, and possibly at later dates, if actions of demonstrators stray into criminal territory.

“YRP will safeguard the fundamental rights of citizens guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Human Rights Code,” the statement reads.

“YRP will also be enforcing the City of Vaughan Protecting Vulnerable Social Infrastructure Bylaw, which prohibits demonstrations — and counter demonstrations — of a nature that intimidate, incite hatred, violence, intolerance or discrimination within 100 metres of the property line of any vulnerable infrastructure such as a place of worship, school, childcare centre, hospital or congregate care facility.”

Police were also encouraging members of the public to report any hate crime incidents should they occur.

“YRP will not tolerate any form of hate crime or the threat of violence against anyone. All reports of hate crime or hate/bias incidents will be investigated thoroughly.

“Any demonstrator whose behaviour crosses the line from lawful demonstration to criminality, can expect to be arrested.”

The demonstration came just weeks after Brampton council unanimously approved a bylaw to ban protests near places of worship.