8 arrested at ‘volatile’ demonstration in downtown Toronto, including 3 who allegedly assaulted police officers

Toronto police say eight people are facing charges after a protest at Nathan Phillips Square turned violent over the weekend.

Toronto police have arrested and charged eight people, three of whom allegedly assaulted officers, following what the union is calling a “volatile” demonstration in downtown Toronto on Saturday.

Police said at about 2 p.m. they attended a demonstration at Nathan Phillips Square, near Queen Street West and Bay Street.

A large group of individuals gathered outside Toronto City Hall on Jan. 10 for an anti-immigration demonstration, while others were there for a counter rally.

Toronto police say they “provided direction to participants in an effort to keep the peace,” however they “engaged in activities that caused disturbances around the demonstration,” including assaulting other participants.

“Participants became combative and assaulted police officers,” they said in a news release.

Nine people were arrested at that demonstration, investigators said, however after further investigation one person was released unconditionally without being charged.

The accused are facing a total of 29 charges, which have not been proven in a court of law.

Those arrested and charged include:

• Mahnoor Mohyuddin, 25, of Milton, and Jennifer Vong, 35, of Toronto, who are scheduled to appear in bail court on Jan. 11.
• Kyle Stephens, 35, of Toronto, who is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 20.
• Woodrow Fraser-Boychuk, 31, of Toronto, Abe Berglas, 23, of Ottawa, and Darcy Belanger, 50, also of Toronto, who are scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 24.
• Bryn Williams, 24, and Charles Kaakee, 27, both of Toronto, who are scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 26.

‘Our officers are there to keep people safe’: police chief

Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw thanked officers on the front line of Saturday’s demonstration, whom he said were “often facing dangerous situations, including incidents in which officers were assaulted.”

“This kind of violence against police officers, or anyone, is unacceptable — full stop. Our officers are there to keep people safe, and they deserve to do their jobs without being attacked,“ he wrote in a post on social media.

“As we have said many times, when officers have lawful grounds to do so, arrests will be made and charges laid — anywhere in the city, whether involving protesters or counter-protesters. Everyone must respect the law."

‘Completely unacceptable and disgusting’

The Toronto Police Association, which represents roughly 8,000 civilian and uniform members of the Toronto Police Service, is calling what occurred “volatile,” saying that the “behaviour of some participants (at the aforementioned demonstration) was completely unacceptable and disgusting.”

“While trying to keep the situation safe for everyone, our members were pelted with eggs, used toilet paper, and plastic bags filled with what appeared to be urine,” the police union said in a post on X.

“One police officer was punched. Several arrests were made and thankfully our members were not seriously injured.”

The Toronto Police Association went on to say that its members will “always facilitate peaceful and lawful demonstrations but this violence cannot and will not be tolerated.”

“We are so proud of our members and we will continue to support them,” it said.

This investigation is ongoing and anyone with further information is asked to contact Toronto police at 416-808-3500 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.