Six people were arrested at a weekend protest after a vehicle seizure by Toronto police led to a heated confrontation between officers and pro-Palestinian protestors.
The driver of a truck towing a trailer near Gerrard and Parliament streets on March 30 was pulled over for contravening the Highway Traffic Act, Toronto police said in a press release on March 31.
The man was charged with stunt driving, and his license has been suspended for 30 days for allegedly driving with occupants in the bed of the truck while the vehicle was in motion.
“Police have cautioned demonstration organizers—and drivers specifically—about not having people riding in the bed of the truck or on the attached trailer while the truck is in motion as stipulated in the Highway Traffic Act,” Const. Laura Brabant said in a press release. “Police have been clear that this stipulation will be in effect at all demonstrations.”
While police were seizing the truck, demonstrators “became aggressive and assaultive toward officers,” Const. Brabant said.
One woman threw horse manure at officers while another used a flagpole to “spear” at an officer, police allege.
Assia Rami, 24, and Celeste Xiaoying Furlotte-Bois, 27, of Toronto have both been charged with assaulting a peace officer with a weapon in connection with the incident.
“Several people interfered” during one of the arrests, leading to four males being taken into custody for breach of the peace, police said. Three were later released unconditionally while the other was found to be wanted on a warrant on an unrelated matter. He has since been turned over to the Ontario Provincial Police.
