Anti-Israel protesters block Toronto railway, prompting arrests
In the afternoon of April 16, activists against Israel initiated a five-hour railway blockade in Toronto’s west end, near Dundas Street West and Dupont.
At 3 p.m., a hundred protesters seized control of the tracks, displaying anti-Israel signs alongside Palestinian flags and chanting antisemitic slogans.
Social media pages posting footage from the scene urged the public to join.
“BLOCKING THE RAILS FOR AN IMMEDIATE ARMS EMBARGO ON ISRAEL!”
How it looked earlier today when the anti-Israel protesters blockaded the Toronto railway. https://t.co/j6NWpnidVX pic.twitter.com/WzGBTX1ZMd
— Efrain Flores Monsanto 🇨🇦🚛 (@realmonsanto) April 17, 2024
At 7:30 p.m., the Toronto Police Service (TPS) intervened, dispersing protesters participating in the blockade. In a video recorded by Le and shared online by independent journalist Caryma Sa’d, the activists can be seen aggressively resisting the police and shouting derogatory slurs.
"MOVE BACK, PLEASE," officers can be seen ordering demonstrators while clearing the tracks.
An activist is seen using her bike against the line of officers and is threatened with confiscation.
“KKK, IOF (Israel Occupying Forces), TPS, you’re all the same!” the crowd chanted while facing off with the police.
Antisemitic slogans slandering those who support the Jewish state as racists and terrorists were shouted by the mob.
“All the Zionists are racists; all the Zionists are the terrorists!”
At 9 p.m., police operations confirmed in a media release that four protesters were arrested, the roads were reopened, and the protest dispersed.
Moment where the police began removing and arresting the anti-Israel protesters from blocking the Toronto railway. https://t.co/j6NWpnidVX pic.twitter.com/F0yhu58kgB
— Efrain Flores Monsanto 🇨🇦🚛 (@realmonsanto) April 17, 2024
Following the Hamas terror attack against Israel on October 7, which left 1,100 massacred, there has been a rise in protests across the West in opposition to Israel’s defensive response.
Israel's military action in Gaza, according to local authorities, has resulted in 30,000 deaths. However, these numbers remain unconfirmed and unreliable.
Montreal anti-Israel demonstrators are being arrested for protesting inside Scotia Bank for their support of "genocide".
— Efrain Flores Monsanto 🇨🇦🚛 (@realmonsanto) April 15, 2024
This is part of the global campaign today to blockade economic activity against the Jewish state.https://t.co/kddQK47rmL pic.twitter.com/swsxllMAYe
Efron Monsanto
Head of Video
Formerly Hamilton-based, now Toronto man and Head of Video Production for Rebel News, Efron Monsanto joined as an intern in 2017 and has been a Rebel ever since. While witnessing Canada succumb to government overreach through the powers of un-elected medical bureaucrats, he became a video journalist. Documenting police and municipal thuggery alike, he strives to shine light on the darkness that is covering Canada’s liberty.
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