3 charged for alleged assault of officers at Toronto protests

Three people were arrested and charged on Wednesday at protests in downtown Toronto where police allege they assaulted two officers.

The alleged assaults happened outside Meridian Hall in the area of Yonge Street and Front Street E. at about 6 p.m. and later outside the headquarters of police's 51 Division at Parliament Street and Front Street E., according to police.

One woman, 45, was arrested at the first demonstration, while a woman, 27, and a man, 25, were arrested outside a police station, police said in the release. A spokesperson for an advocacy group says all three were pro-Palestinian protesters.

All three were charged with assault of a peace officer, police said in a news release on Thursday. The man was also charged with assault with a weapon. He is accused of throwing a water bottle at an officer that struck the officer in the face.

Stephanie Sayer, spokesperson for the Toronto Police Service, said in an email on Thursday that police are looking for two other demonstrators.

"There were a number of officers assaulted last night — shoved or spit on — but two officers sustained minor injuries. No medical attention was required," Sayer said in the email.

Jews Say No to Genocide Coalition and the Coalition Against Pinkwashing, two advocacy groups, organized the demonstrations. The groups said in a news release that the first was in support of Palestinian people and against the hosting of "figures who actively promote war crimes and bigotry."

At Meridian Hall, the UJA (United Jewish Appeal) Federation of Greater Toronto was launching its annual campaign. The event was said to feature U.S. journalist Bari Weiss, Israeli actress Shira Haas, U.S. author and Rabbi David Wolpe, and Shlomo Lipman, an Israeli soldier who is a singer.

The groups said the demonstrators gathered outside the police station in support of the protester who was arrested outside Meridian Hall.

Police said the group of demonstrators who were protesting the event at Meridian Hall tried to enter the building. Officers removed the protesters and a woman became combative, police added. Police alleged the woman assaulted an officer.

Police said the demonstrators then went to 51 Division, where police said the demonstrators became combative again and police alleged another woman assaulted another officer.

A male demonstrator threw the water bottle at an officer at this demonstration, police added.

Gur Tsabar, spokesperson for the Jews Say No to Genocide Coalition, said the protest outside Meridian Hall was peaceful. He said police officers dragged numerous people away from the venue.

"One protester fell down to the ground, and the next thing we know, she's in handcuffs," Tsabar said.