Toronto Police Search for Suspect After Officer Was Assaulted at Pro-Palestinian Protest

Toronto Police Service vehicles are pictured on Driftwood Avenue in Toronto, on Feb. 18, 2024. (The Canadian Press/Arlyn McAdorey)

Toronto police are looking for a suspect after an officer was assaulted during a Pro-Palestinian demonstration in the city.

The incident happened at Gerrard Street East and Parliament Street around 5:20 p.m. on March 30, a Toronto Police Service (TPS) news release said.

“During the demonstration, the suspect assaulted an officer then fled the area,” the release said.

The man is described as clean-shaven, wearing a grey T-shirt, blue button-up shirt, black zip-up sweater, black jacket, black pants, and white Adidas shoes. Police say he was between 25 and 35 years old.

Anyone with information has been asked to call police at 416-808-3506, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477).

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Toronto police arrested three other individuals at the same demonstration, including two women who had “become aggressive” toward officers.

The women allegedly attempted to assault officers after police stopped and charged a man who was driving a truck with people in the bed of the truck.

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“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,” TPS said in a release. “Police have been clear that this stipulation will be in effect at all demonstrations.”

The driver was charged with stunt driving and his licence was suspended for 30 days. His truck was also impounded for 14 days.

TPS said while the truck was being seized, demonstrators reacted, with one woman throwing horse manure at officers and another woman using a flagpole to “spear” at an officer.

Assia Rami, 24, has been charged with assaulting a peace officer with a weapon over the manure stunt. She is scheduled to appear in court on May 16.

Twenty-seven-year-old Celeste Xiaoying Furlotte-Bois has also been charged with assaulting a peace officer with a weapon. Her court appearance has been scheduled for May 14.

TPS said while officers were making an arrest, “several people interfered with the arrest,” and four men were taken into custody for breaching the peace. However, three were later released without conditions.

The fourth man was wanted on a warrant for an unrelated matter, TPS said. He was handed over to the Ontario Provincial Police.

Police said the investigation is ongoing, and that people can still be charged.

“Just because someone is not issued a charge at the time does not mean they cannot be charged at a later date,” the release said.

Pro-Palestinian protesters have been holding rallies in Toronto as well as other cities across the country calling for an end to Israel’s military action against the terrorist organization Hamas in Gaza.

Israel’s action in Gaza began after Hamas members attacked civilians in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.