Pro-Israel activist arrested in Winnipeg prior to attempted counter protest Sunday
CBC
A pro-Israel activist says he was arrested Sunday at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights prior to an attempted counter protest of a pro-Palestinian rally.
Ron East, founder of the Israeli Canadian Council, said a group of pro-Israel supporters attempted to stage a counter-protest at the museum, but he was arrested before that rally began. East felt the protest broke an agreement between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel groups and police to hold rallies on separate days.
"It is what it is, but I'm here," East said Sunday afternoon during a pro-Israel protest in front of the CBC Manitoba building later Sunday afternoon. "I got arrested, got sent into the big house, got finger-printed, had my pictures taken, got thrown into a cell, the whole nine yards."
East said he was charged with obstructing a police officer. He said he parked in an area that said "no parking," while trying to unload a vehicle Sunday morning at the museum.
He also said the officer asked the group to move two vehicles, but East told them that they'd move one of the cars first and the other after because he didn't want their stuff to be left unattended. "He didn't like that, he demanded my driver's license. I asked 'What do you need my driver's licence for, what am I being charged with,'" he said. East said he continued to ask why he needed to provide his driver's license, and the officer arrested him.
East says the incident soured his relationship with police in the city.
Police asked protesters from both sides to avoid squaring off in counter-protests, which they said escalated tensions and ate up a lot of their resources back in October. Organizers were also encouraged to limit protests to a specified location.
Supt. Dave Dalal of the Winnipeg Police Service's special events unit told the city's police board Friday no counter protests have been held since.
CBC News has reached out to the Winnipeg Police Service to ask about the arrest, but hasn't been given any information.
About one hundred people marked the 75th annual Human Rights Day with a pro-Palestinian rally at the museum Sunday morning. It was the second day in a row of pro-Palestinian rallies, as supporters also gathered outside Winnipeg City Hall Saturday.
Sunday's pro-Palestinian rally started outside the museum and then participants chanted "ceasefire now" as they walked through the main entrance. Some speeches were also made inside the building and members of the protest then laid on the floor to represent those who have been killed during the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
"The role in today's rally is to let the human rights museum know that they need to have something in the museum that recognizes Palestine," said Ramsey Zeid, the president of the Canadian Palestinian Association of Manitoba.
Zeid said he and other members of the protest chose to make their voices heard at the museum because they want to see more representation in the space.
The weekend protests came on the heels of Winnipeg police asking protesters from both sides to stay in one location.
Say what you will about Alberta politics, they are seldom boring — at least, not these days.
An orange-crowned warbler was spotted during Hamilton’s annual Christmas bird survey, a “rarity” for birdwatchers, organizers say.
Residents across Windsor-Essex will have several free options to ring in 2026, with outdoor skating parties, fireworks celebrations and more planned for Dec. 31.
With transit fares on the rise in a number of Canadian cities, some experts say it’s time to rethink how we fund public transportation.
WARNING: This story contains references to missing and murdered Indigenous people. Resources can be found at the bottom of this story.
A law mandating new requirements for job postings by companies of over 25 people will go into effect starting Jan. 1, 2026 in Ontario.
New rules set to come into effect in 2026 mean many Ontario homeowners and landlords will have to add carbon monoxide alarms to their New Year's to-do list.
Bryce Leitch and his son Quinton were playing video games in their south London home’s basement on Sunday night when the 9-year-old suddenly said he heard a “weird noise” coming from upstairs.
U.S. authorities have released more details on dozens of high-end motorcycles believed to belong to Ryan Wedding, the former Canadian athlete now accused of running an international drug ring.
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary says 36-year-old Scott King, has been arrested following a shooting on Monday inside a home in Corner Brook.
Five Nova Scotians, including a popular musician and a former premier, have been appointed to the Order of Nova Scotia for 2025.
The Maritimes suffered through intense drought conditions this summer that left farmers with lower crop yields and, in some cases. feeling already set back as they look ahead to the coming year.
More residents from a northern Manitoba First Nation are temporarily leaving their homes as Manitoba Hydro’s efforts to restore power to the community have been delayed again.