Toronto demonstrations: Police to provide update

More than $12 million has been spent policing protests across the city since October, the Toronto Police Service said Friday.

The figure, announced in a Friday news conference by deputy chief Lauren Pogue, accounts for both the regular costs and overtime hours needed to engage with “hundreds” of demonstrations that have taken place across the city since Oct. 7.

It has increased by almost three million dollars since mid-February, when the service provided its last update on costs.

“The Toronto Police Service has attended hundreds of demonstrations since Oct. 7,” Pogue told reporters. “Our officers are attending demonstrations every day, some involving thousands of people.”

The update comes about a week after police and protestors clashed at a pro-Palestinian demonstration downtown last weekend, resulting in charges laid on attendees and allegations of brutality levied against responding officers.

Police previously said that participants of the action "became aggressive and assaultive" after officers moved to seize a truck that had occupants standing in the bed. Police also said one woman threw horse manure at officers and that another “intentionally used a flagpole to ‘spear’ at an officer.”

Three people were charged following the protest. Another man, accused of spitting on an officer, turned himself in Wednesday and was charged with assault.

“It's important to recognize the potential consequences of obstructing police and interfering with our ability to maintain order,” Pogue said at the news conference. “The choice to do so not only escalates tensions and may lead to confrontations, but poses risks to the safety of all involved.”

Protest groups have since alleged police brutality, claiming they’ve been subject to dramatic escalations and violence at the hands of Toronto police. They are calling for an independent investigation into police handling of the protest.

Chief responds to councillors' statement

On Thursday night, six city councillors issued a joint statement, saying they are deeply concerned about what constituents told them about their experiences during last weekend’s demonstration.

“Freedom of assembly is a protected right in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In these difficult times of heightened tension in the world and Toronto, these rights must be protected as part of our democratic society,” read the statement signed by councillors Amber Morley, Gord Perks, Alejandra Bravo, Ausma Malik, Paula Fletcher and Lily Cheng.

“We reiterate our commitment to upholding their rights and freedoms of all Torontonians. Our city must be a place where all people are free to demonstrate and engage in protest as a form of democratic expression.”

On Friday, Chief Myron Demkiw said in a statement that he agrees that Torontonians have the right to demonstrate and that Toronto police have and will always respect that.

However, the chief said that when someone’s behaviour crosses into criminality, endangering officers or the public, “we will enforce the law, as is our duty.” Demkiw noted that the incidents that occurred last weekend, which included officers getting assaulted and a police horse being attacked, were against the law and jeopardized public safety.

“Arrests were made in these matters. Other demonstrators continued to exercise their freedom of expression and were always free to depart the area,” the chief said.

He went on to ask anyone who plans to protest this weekend to do so lawfully and respectfully.

“We understand that world events continue to fuel tension, frustration and anguish, here at home. As such, we ask demonstrators to work with us to ensure peaceful and orderly gatherings,” Demkiw said, adding that he is in regular contact with all representatives of the Palestinian, Muslim and Jewish communities.

“TPS members have been doing the same for many months across all Divisions and this remains a commitment for the entire Service as we serve our communities to the best of our ability.”

Coun. Cheng has since released a “revised” statement, saying the joint letter issued Thursday night was edited multiple times and that she does not endorse the “final version.”

“I support police responses that hold people to account when the law is broken. At the same time, we should examine why peaceful protesters do not feel they are safe to protest,” she wrote.