Toronto police to have ‘significant’ presence during planned downtown rally on Saturday

Toronto police say they will have a ‘significant and visible’ presence downtown on Saturday during the Al-Quds Day rally. Janice Golding has more.

Toronto police say they will have a “significant and visible” presence downtown on Saturday during the Al-Quds Day rally.

“Our focus will be on ensuring public safety, preventing violence, and upholding the law,” Toronto police spokesperson Stephanie Sayer said in an email to CP24.com on Wednesday.

Sayer noted that police will provide more information about what is expected on Saturday.

The pro-Palestinian rally started in Iran during the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Jewish groups have denounced the anti-Israel event, calling it antisemitic and have repeatedly called officials to prevent it from taking place.

This weekend’s rally is being held amid ongoing bombardment of Iran by the United States and Israel that began on Feb. 28.

Demonstrators are expected to gather outside the U.S. Consulate to condemn the conflict in the Middle East.

There is currently heightened security around the consulate after two suspects fired shots at the building on Tuesday morning.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said they were treating the incident as a “national security incident.”

Toronto MPP Michael Kerzner, Ontario’s solicitor general, released a statement on Wednesday about the planned rally, which he called “vile and despicable.”

“Any display of antisemitism, intimidation, or the glorification of terrorist groups and their violence is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in Ontario,” said Kerzner.

“Those who cross the line and engage in acts of hate, promote extremist ideologies, or incite violence will be held accountable and brought to justice to the fullest extent of the law.”

With files from The Associated Press