Toronto police boost security for weekend Al-Quds Day rally after shots fired at US Consulate
By Wa Lone
TORONTO, March 12 (Reuters) - Toronto police said on Thursday they will increase their presence in the city this weekend during expected protests against the Iran war at an Al-Quds Day rally, citing heightened geopolitical tensions and several recent security incidents including shots fired at the U.S. Consulate.
The rally is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. on Saturday outside the U.S. Consulate, with an estimated 3,000 participants and counter‑demonstrators expected, police said.
Superintendent Craig Young told reporters police will activate their Major Incident Command Centre on Saturday to monitor the rally and coordinate resources. Police said restrictions on airspace will be in effect above and around the U.S. Consulate throughout the weekend, prohibiting drone activity, including micro‑drones.
“Our priority, as always, is to ensure the safety of everyone involved, including participants, counter-protesters, residents, visitors and our officers,” Young said.
British police announced earlier this week that Sunday's planned annual Al-Quds march, organised by the Islamic Human Rights Commission, had been banned, citing the tensions and risks created by the Iran war. British police said IHRC was supportive of Iran's clerical rulers.
An Instagram post promoting marches in Toronto, organized by the Palestinian Youth Movement, Al-Quds Day Toronto and Lebanese 4 Palestine, urges supporters to rally under the slogan “no war on Iran and Lebanon.” Toronto has a large Iranian expatriate community.
"In Canada, people have the right to assemble and express their opinions," Young said. "Those rights are fundamental. At the same time, everyone must respect the law."
The event comes after three separate incidents last week in which gunshots were fired at synagogues in the Toronto area, with no reports of injury. Police said on Tuesday that evidence indicates that two men exited a white SUV outside the consulate around 4:30 a.m. that day, fired shots from a handgun at the front of the U.S. Consulate and drove away.
"I want to be clear, the Toronto Police Service take all reports of hate very seriously. Our members will be present throughout the demonstration and we will be actively monitoring for any incidents involving hate speech, hate-motivated crimes, hateful signage or the display of symbols," Young said.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said Canada was not consulted, did not participate, and has no plans to participate in the actions against Iran that are being undertaken by the U.S. and Israel.
