A planned Al-Quds Day rally in Toronto is expected to move forward this weekend despite Ontario Premier Doug Ford urging the province’s attorney general to seek a court injunction to stop the event. According to CBC News, a lawyer representing the rally’s organizers said Friday that no notice of a court motion has been received, indicating the demonstration is still set to proceed as scheduled.
The rally is planned for Saturday afternoon outside the United States consulate on University Avenue in downtown Toronto. Toronto police say they will significantly increase their presence around the area as thousands of participants are expected to attend. Authorities initially estimated about 3,000 people would participate, but officials say attendance could rise due to heightened tensions linked to global conflicts.
Premier Doug Ford announced on social media that he had asked the attorney general to pursue legal action to halt the rally, citing concerns about public safety. Ford wrote that hate, violence, and intimidation have no place on Canada’s streets and said the provincial government would take action where possible. Two Toronto city councillors, James Pasternak and Brad Bradford, also called for an immediate injunction to block the event.
Toronto police say they are taking precautionary measures following recent incidents in the city that have raised security concerns. According to CBC News, gunshots were fired at three synagogues and the U.S. consulate in the last two weeks, prompting increased vigilance by law enforcement. Police officials said anyone engaging in violence or obstructing officers during the rally could face swift legal action.
Organizers describe the annual Al-Quds Day march as a demonstration in support of Palestinians. Promotional posts on social media say participants will also call for an end to conflict in Iran and Lebanon. The event traditionally takes place on the last Friday of Ramadan and was originally established in 1979 by Iran’s former leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
Civil liberties advocates have raised concerns about the provincial government’s attempt to stop the demonstration. According to CBC News, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association warned that seeking an injunction against a protest could undermine constitutionally protected freedoms. The organization said the Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects both peaceful assembly and expression, even when opinions expressed may be controversial or unpopular.
At the same time, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs expressed support for the province’s effort to block the rally. The group said the event has previously included extremist rhetoric and antisemitic messaging and warned that authorities must prioritize public safety. The organization urged courts to consider potential risks to communities when evaluating whether the rally should be allowed to proceed.
The Toronto event is organized by the Al-Quds Committee with support from the Palestinian Youth Movement, according to the group’s social media pages. As of now, organizers say the demonstration will proceed as planned while police maintain an increased security presence in the area.
