Toronto police release new details about arrest of demonstrators who allegedly forced way inside private event featuring Israeli soldiers

According to police, five demonstrators have been arrested after they were accused of attacking students at TMU. Janice Golding has the details.

Toronto police have released additional details about an incident at a downtown building on Wednesday afternoon in which protesters allegedly forced entry into a private event being hosted by a pro-Israel student group and caused those inside “to fear for their safety.”

It happened at a building in the Bay and Elm streets area at around 1:15 p.m.

Video posted to social media appears to show demonstrators shouting “Free, free Palestine” a moment before a glass door is shattered.

The group Students Supporting Israel previously said in a statement on social media that it was hosting Israeli soldiers as part of a “peaceful event” when demonstrators “violently stormed” the premises and “terrorized” those attending the function.

In a news release on Thursday, police said that demonstrators “forced entry into the building” and damaged property in the process.

Police said that the actions of the demonstrators “caused those in attendance to fear for their safety” and that one individual sustained injuries from glass that was broken during the course of the forced entry.

Paramedics previously described those injuries as minor.

Police further alleged that “one individual assaulted an officer while attempting to prevent an arrest,” while others “obstructed officers” who were attempting to make arrests.

A total of five individuals were ultimately taken into custody.

Police Chief Myron Denkiw addressed the incident while speaking during a Toronto Police Services Board meeting on Thursday.

“Whether it’s this incident or during any other protest, I want to make something very clear: when people break the law, and when people interfere with or assault our officers, every step necessary will be taken in an effort to arrest and charge those responsible,” he said.

Deputy Chief Rob Johnson went on to say during the Toronto Police Services Board meeting that while five suspects were arrested, some suspects remain outstanding.

He said that investigators are reviewing video evidence and that “more charges could potentially be laid.”

In a statement on Thursday morning, Toronto Coun. James Pasternak called the incident a “disgraceful assault on public order, on decency and on our shared civic values.”

“You cannot violently attack people you disagree with and still claim to stand for justice,” he said. “There is no excuse — none — for turning political passion into physical harm.”

Students Supporting Israel has previously said that it had intended to host the event on Toronto Metropolitan University’s campus but had to move it offsite after being denied a venue.

In a statement, TMU said that it was “deeply concerned” by Wednesday’s incident and will apply its policies “as appropriate, to respond.”

“TMU condemns acts of aggression, intimidation, or violence. The actions that took place on Wednesday are unacceptable and do not reflect the values of our community,” it said. “Our thoughts are with any students who may have been injured during the incident. The safety and well-being of our community, and the broader public, are of paramount importance.”

Toronto police tell CP24 that its Hate Crime Unit is investigating, though the incident has not been formally classified as a suspected hate-motivated offence at this time.

In a statement on social media, another TMU student group called Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) alleged that students protesting the event “were grabbed, shoved, chased and thrown to the ground” by one of the Israeli soldiers that had been invited.

The group also alleged that “organizers and attendees of the event also joined in (by) physically assaulting” the student protesters.

The Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center released a statement on Thursday, following confirmation of the arrests by Toronto police.

In it, it said that Students for Justice in Palestine at TMU previously circulated a social media post urging people to show up and protest Wednesday’s event.

It added that what ultimately transpired amounted to a “violent antisemitic assault targeting Jewish students.”

“This assault on Jewish TMU students should alarm us all,” FSWC President and CEO Michael Levitt said in the statement. “Anyone who thinks Jews in Canada aren’t increasingly in the crosshairs of hate, who believes antisemitism isn’t growing more virulent and dangerous every day, should take a long, hard look, especially those in positions of power. This shocking act of antisemitic violence reflects the escalating climate of intimidation facing Jewish students on Canadian campuses. It demands more than statements of concern — it requires action.”

Coun. Brad Bradford also weighed in on social media, calling what happened a “horrific, targeted act of violence.”

The individuals taken into custody on Wednesday are: Nicole Baiton, 25, of Oakville, Kiana Alexis, 22, of Toronto, Fatimah Mugni, 23, of Toronto, Chelsea Wu, 29, of Toronto and Manal Kamran, 21, of Toronto.

For a full list of the charges they are facing follow this link.