The Toronto Police Association has criticized Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, accusing her of not backing members after city councillors signed a letter questioning police conduct during a pro-Palestine demonstration that resulted in clashes with officers.
The association, which represents approximately 8,000 uniform and civilian members of the Toronto Police Service, added it had not spoken with Ms. Chow directly despite an April 5 promise that she would call. “She continues to be silent on the treatment of our members,” it said.
“In these difficult times of heightened tensions in the world and Toronto, these rights must be protected as part of our democratic society,” the letter reads.
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The police said demonstrators became aggressive with them during the arrest. One woman threw horse manure at officers while another used a flagpole to “spear” at an officer, police allege.
The Palestinian Youth Movement, a Toronto rally organizer, has accused police officers of using excessive force when dealing with protestors at the March 30 protest.
When asked about the city councillors signing the letter, Ms. Chow said Toronto residents have the right to speak their minds.
The Epoch Times contacted Ms. Chow for a comment, but did not hear back by publication time.
‘Reckless’
The statement by the six councillors was “absolutely reckless,” TPA President Jon Reid said during an interview with local radio host Greg Brady. He also said Toronto police officers have been “very balanced” while covering protests over the last six months, and have arrested people on both sides of the issue.
Pro-Palestinian groups have been gathering in major Canadian cities to protest on many weekends since the surprise Oct. 7 attack on Israel by terrorist group Hamas has resulted in full-scale war in the Gaza Strip.
Toronto Police Service Deputy Chief Lauren Pogue says the force has spent more than $12 million on staffing demonstrations since October.
Officers have attended hundreds of protests since the war began, Deputy Chief Pogue told reporters April 5, adding that demonstrators have recently become more aggressive.
