Cops should drop van probe, focus on kids used in protests instead

Toronto Police are aware of these videos. There were no charges stemming from Saturday’s demonstration. Police reserve the right to review video and circle back.

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Seeing a child used in protests where a hostile crowd was routinely chanting, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” and, “There is only one solution, intifada revolution,” is troubling for people in any political arena.

It is certainly more serious than anything displayed in the advertising cube van Rebel News admitted they have used around town or the one displaying anti-Israel messaging, which does not garner the same outrage.

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Fearing this all could escalate from strong words to violent actions, it’s past time for the prime minister, premier, mayors and police chiefs to draw the line. They can take the same approach as they did with the truckers in Ottawa and tell the protesters on downtown streets or occupying the University of Toronto to go home or be removed.

When it comes to protests, children should not be involved. They shouldn’t be holding swastikas or smoke bombs.

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A counter-protester holds up a sign with a swastika on it. — A counter-protester holds up a sign with a swastika on it at the Walk With Israel event on Sunday, June 9, 2024, in Toronto. Photo by Supplied

Meanwhile, law enforcement or elected leaders need to improve their public relations to make sure they don’t appear partisan. This is not easy and the police and politicians will tell you that no matter what they do, all sides point fingers.

Mayor Olivia Chow has faced criticism for being too busy to attend the June 9 Walk With Israel, but has been at dozens of events since then, including dancing at a trans event in a nightclub. That said, Sunday she posted photos of herself on X post at Kensington Market’s historic Kiever Synagogue.

Police Chief Myron Demkiw has also been under fire on social media over alleged double standards in applying the law for his commentary surrounding the Rebel News van controversy on X and later in appearing at a local mosque, where he said police are working to “confront acts of … Islamophobic hate.”

The Toronto Police Chief spoke in an Islamic Center today and gave assurance to those in attendance that he is going after Ezra Levant and he considers it to be “Islamophobia ” to expose Hamas on the streets of Toronto. We all must support Ezra Levant. pic.twitter.com/pSfhF1PMLJ

— [email protected] (@neveragainlive1) June 23, 2024

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It has upset some on the Jewish community, including Kurtz, who on X asked “why is the chief intimating the truck is a case of ‘Islamophobic hate’ before the investigation is complete? How can you trust this investigation when it seems to have already been compromised?”

Fair questions, but what we do know upon a review of the words spoken at the mosque is Demkiw did not cross any lines.

Said Demkiw: “I am sure many of you saw coverage about a truck driving around the city and I just really take opportunities when I can to come to speak to all of the communities in our great city that are impacted by some of the hate that we see going around us and try to reassure everyone that we stand with our communities and we work close with our communities to confront Islamophobia and confront the things that are causing those great tension and conflict in our communities and we are doing everything possible to bring those things to some form of resolution.”

It was benign.

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A screengrab from video of a truck carrying a message about Muslims praying in public spaces in Canada. — A screengrab from video posted to X of a truck carrying a message about Muslims praying in public spaces in Canada.

Demkiw continued: “In the case of the truck, our hate crime unit is investigating. I am sure you have seen that in the news, but please know we are continued to work with all our communities to return to a sense of safety and to make sure we confront acts of hate, and in this case Islamophobic hate, directly and do everything we can to stop it and hold those responsible accountable.”

He didn’t mention Ezra Levant or Rebel News nor should he. And there was nothing wrong with what Demkiw said or him accepting an invitation to speak to a mosque. In my view, Demkiw would have been wise to not do that or comment on X about probes, but he has free speech, too, and it’s always easier to be a Monday morning quarterback in the cheap seats.

My free-speech take is that police should forget vans and probe kids being used in anti-Israel protests.