In a video posted on social media on Friday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he had instructed the attorney general to seek an injunction against the demonstration.Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press
An annual demonstration in support of Palestine that Premier Doug Ford pushed to block is set to take place in Toronto.
The Al-Quds Day rally is scheduled to begin this afternoon outside the U.S. Consulate, with social media posts promoting the event saying protesters will also be calling for “no war on Iran and Lebanon.”
Ford said Friday that he had told his attorney general to seek an injunction against the demonstration, calling it a “breeding ground for hate and antisemitism.”
Civil liberties groups and other advocates say the move threatens freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
A lawyer representing the event’s organizers said Friday he had received no notice of a motion for an injunction and the event would go ahead as planned.
Police have said that “as with any large-scale event,” they will be increasing their presence in and around areas where activities are expected to occur.