(Toronto) Toronto police said they arrested two people during a pro-Palestinian demonstration that delayed the start of an event featuring the Canadian prime minister. Among those arrested is a journalist from the online media Rebel News.
Police said two men were arrested Friday at the rally outside the King Edward Hotel, where Justin Trudeau was the guest of honor at a Liberal Party fundraiser.
Protest organizers released a statement ahead of the event, saying the protest was intended to send a message to the Liberal Party of Canada that it cannot do “business as usual” amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
Police said one man was charged with mischief and property damage, while another, identified as David Menzies, was charged with obstructing a peace officer and breaching a recognizance not disturb public order.
Rebel News and Mr Menzies later released statements about X, confirming his arrest and saying it took place while he attempted to speak to protesters on camera. A video published by the media outlet shows the commentator arrested by police after attempting to question protesters.
Mr. Menzies has been arrested several times during interactions with Liberal and Conservative politicians, most recently in January outside an event in Richmond Hill, Ont., involving Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland. An RCMP officer providing security for the minister made the arrest as Mr. Menzies attempted to ask questions. York Regional Police later confirmed he was released unconditionally after determining he posed no credible threat to security.
In a comment sent on Saturday evening, Mr. Menzies compared the two arrests, describing them both as “illegal”.
“I was peacefully doing my work as a journalist in a public place when police officers suddenly seized me, arrested me and threw me in prison where I was detained for more than four hours,” he said. he tells.
He added that he would consult lawyers before deciding whether to take legal action against Toronto police.