Toronto police to increase presence in area of Al-Quds Day rally on Saturday
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 12/03/2026 (213 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
TORONTO – Toronto police say they’ll be increasing their presence in the area of a planned Al-Quds Day rally on Saturday and warn that any violence and police obstruction will not be tolerated.
Emergency management Supt. Craig Young says police will be present to “help reduce tensions and support a safe environment” where people can express their views peacefully and lawfully.
Al-Quds Day has been described by Toronto organizers as a show of support for Palestine, and Young says police initially anticipated 3,000 people to attend the demonstration outside the U.S. consulate on Saturday afternoon but the number could be higher given recent geopolitical tensions.
Social media posts promoting the event say demonstrators will also be calling for “no war in Iran and Lebanon.”
Young says the rally comes amid heightened unease and fears of violence in the city after shots were fired at three synagogues and the U.S. consulate in the past two weeks.
He says police are aware of concerns about the possibility of confrontation between groups with opposing views, and officers will monitor the event closely and deploy resources as needed.
Young says that anyone who engages in violence or obstructs police “can expect that the law will be enforced swiftly and decisively.”
“We are asking everyone who plans to attend, whether they are participating in the event or protesting it, to do so lawfully and respectfully,” said Young.
He said officers will also be monitoring the demonstration for incidents involving hate speech and signage, hate-motivated crimes or the display of symbols associated with groups designated by the federal government as terrorist organizations.
“Any reported incident will be investigated. It’s important to remember that charges do not have to be immediate. Evidence gathered during or after an event can lead to charges being laid hours, days or even weeks later,” he said.
Young added that airspace above and around the U.S. consulate will be restricted this weekend, which applies to all drone operations.
Police have previously said it was too early to determine if Tuesday’s shooting at the consulate was connected to the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, but that security would be increased at Israeli and American embassies and consulates in both Toronto and Ottawa.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 12, 2026.