The Al-Quds Day protest continued in downtown Toronto on Saturday afternoon after a judge dismissed Ontario’s bid to block the demonstration.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he was “extremely disappointed” by the court’s decision to allow the protest to proceed.
Al-Quds Day is described by organizers as an annual demonstration showing support for Palestinians. Social media posts promoting the rally also said the event included calls for “no war in Iran and Lebanon.”
The rally drew counter-protesters as the day unfolded, with opposing groups gathering in the downtown core and exchanging chants and opinions.
Toronto police deployed hundreds of officers to ensure the safety and security of everyone present.
Lawyers representing the province were in court, asking a judge to block the demonstration after Premier Doug Ford condemned the demonstration as “hateful”.
But less than an hour before the protest was scheduled to begin, Justice Robert Centa ruled the province did not meet the legal test required to prevent the protest from going ahead.
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“The application for an interim interlocutory injunction is dismissed,” he ruled, adding there was insufficient evidence that the protest would lead to significant criminal activity or that police could not maintain the peace.
“The right to assemble and speak freely must be maintained in times of global conflict,” Centa added.
Police closed several streets in downtown Toronto as the protest moves through Toronto’s University Avenue, but roads have since reopened.
Toronto police said officers were on the ground monitoring the demonstration and would enforce the law if necessary.
“The rights to assembly and free expression are fundamental here in Canada, but there are laws that must be adhered to, and we will enforce them,” police said.
“Officers are on the ground today to uphold the right to demonstrate lawfully while holding those who engage in criminal activity accountable.”
Stephen Ellis, legal counsel for the Al-Quds Day demonstration, said the rally was meant to give participants a chance to speak out against war in the Middle East.
“This day is very, very important. Right now the Middle East is on fire, in Iran, in Lebanon, in Palestine, so being able to express ourselves against war is really important,” Ellis said.
Meanwhile, in a post on social media, Ford described Al-Quds Day as “a venue for antisemitism, hatred, intimidation and the glorification of terrorism.”
“I won’t stop working to put an end to the hatred and division that runs too rampant on Canada’s streets,” Ford wrote.
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association, however, said Ford’s move seeking to shut down a protest before it begins is “an extraordinary and dangerous step” and warned it threatens Charter-protected freedoms.
– With files from The Canadian Press
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