Hundreds of Hells Angels descend upon Toronto for memorial procession
Posted July 20, 2022 12:21 pm.
Last Updated July 21, 2022 4:17 pm.
A large procession of hundreds of Hells Angels members has made its way into Toronto for a memorial gathering on Thursday.
Police warned of ongoing traffic disruptions as the bikers rolled into the city’s east end in the morning for an unsanctioned afternoon memorial honouring a deceased member.
“We expect a large procession of motorcycles, mainly consisting of members of the Hells Angels, but also members of the public who are motorcycle enthusiasts,” said Toronto police Supt. Scott Baptist.
“This procession will inevitably cause traffic disruptions. We are working with the OPP and York Regional Police to manage traffic and ensure public safety.”
LISTEN LIVE as we track this procession for real-time road closures and traffic delays
Listen to CityNews 680 LIVE now!The group started gathering in Newmarket in the morning before making their way southbound on Highway 404 around 11 a.m.
The procession route travelled south on the Don Valley Parkway from the 404 before heading eastbound on Lake Shore Boulevard.
The procession ended at a Hells Angels property at 98 Carlaw Avenue in Leslieville. Toronto police closed Carlaw between Lake Shore and Eastern Avenue in preparation for the event. Police say the stretch of road was reopened just after 4 p.m.
A member tells CityNews the memorial procession is for Donny Peterson, who was the president of the Toronto chapter of the club. He died in December at the age of 74.
Some Leslieville residents who live near the property on Carlaw tell CityNews they have received invitations in their mailboxes inviting them to Thursday’s memorial.
Police say the procession is not connected to a large Hells Angels rally in Durham Region expected this weekend. Baptist says police have no indication the group intends to do anything other than participating in the ride.
“Our priority is always public safety,” he says. “And we are taking steps to minimize the disruption to residents, businesses, and roadways.”
Durham police held a news conference on Monday to alert the public that the gang would be in Whitby on Friday.
Police warned as many as 1,000 Hells Angels members would likely touch down in the Whitby community of Brooklin for their Canada Run event. Similar rides in the past have resulted primarily in relatively innocuous Highway Traffic Act violations.
With files from Michael Talbot and Brandon Rowe
