Two people arrested after violent anti-vaccine protest outside Eaton Centre

Two people have been arrested following an anti-vaccine, anti-mask protest outside the Eaton Centre on Saturday.

Police say a group of protesters attempted to enter the mall but were denied access by security guards.

A video posted to social media by lawyer Caryma Sa’d shows the mob trying to forcibly push its way into the mall, scuffling with security and police officers while shouting “freedom.”

At one point in the video, a protester is heard telling the group over a megaphone that “there’s multiple entrances” and that they should “back off from the police.”

https://twitter.com/CarymaRules/status/1441844782783815681

Sa’d says while there may be genuine concerns over the rollout of the vaccine passport, she has seen an increase in violent rhetoric which is translating into more violent action of late.

“The lack of responsive enforcement is deeply concerning, I think that it is going to embolden this type of behaviour which is contrary to the public health advice we are getting,” she tells CityNews.

“It’s important to shed light on what is happening. My goal here is to create a record and hopefully curb this behaviour before it spreads and we find ourselves in a position where mob rule is the status quo.”

Police say one security guard was assaulted but that no injuries were reported by security staff or protesters.

Michael Leaf, 29, of Thornhill and Vanessa Carvalho, 23, of Brampton were both arrested and charged with assault.