City of Vaughan closes some roads, sidewalks ahead of planned demonstration near Orthodox synagogue
Posted March 20, 2025 4:39 pm.
Last Updated March 20, 2025 10:07 pm.
The City of Vaughan closed some sidewalks and streets on Thursday ahead of a planned demonstration near an Orthodox synagogue.
Vaughan Mayor, Steven Del Duca, said members of the community shared their concerns about the planned demonstration near the Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto (BAYT) synagogue in Vaughan, prompting the closures.
“The safety and security of all Vaughan residents is my top priority,” Del Duca wrote in a social media post.
Clark Avenue West, from Bathurst Street to Atkinson Avenue and York Hill Boulevard, from Clark Avenue West to Dana Crescent, were closed at 3 p.m. Thursday in accordance with the Protecting Vulnerable Social Infrastructure bylaw.
The bylaw bans protests near places of worship, and Del Duca said Vaughan was the first municipality to pass it.
The mayor was in the area until the evening hours and said he was “happy to see that everything has remained quiet and peaceful here today.”
Police began reopened the roads around 10 p.m.
The safety and security of all Vaughan residents is my top priority. In accordance with the Protecting Vulnerable Social Infrastructure By-law, road closures on Clark Ave W. between Bathurst Ave & Atkinson have been activated. See my full statement below. pic.twitter.com/hSVpN7JyXK
— Steven Del Duca (@StevenDelDuca) March 20, 2025
Officials didn’t specify what the protest was about, but some viewers told CityNews it was connected to a real estate event.
CityNews has not been able to confirm details at this point.
Earlier York police warned residents to expect an increased police presence in the area.
“The primary role of YRP in public demonstrations is to keep the peace while enforcing federal, provincial and municipal laws,” a police release stated.
“Police will safeguard the fundamental rights of citizens guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Human Rights Code.”
Police reminded potential demonstrators that freedom of expression “does not include intimidation, threats of violence or acts of violence. It does not include the destruction of property, assaults, or other unlawful conduct.”
Anyone engaging in that behaviour will be arrested, either immediately or at a later date, police said.
