Police in Toronto, Ontario have been caught on video hand-delivering a to-go field of scorching Tim Horton’s espresso to Hamas supporters on Saturday who have been blocking a bridge close to a Jewish neighborhood. The espresso was delivered to the bridge by protesters who weren’t allowed to affix the blockade. Two police took the espresso and a bag of snacks and delivered them to the Hamas supporters blocking the bridge.
Laura Brabant, spokesperson for the Toronto Police Service, posted twice on X Twitter to defend the espresso supply to the anti-Semitic terrorist supporters:
“Our officers are managing a dynamic scenario. In performing a useful act at this time, our officer’s motivation was to assist preserve tensions low and shouldn’t be interpreted as exhibiting help for any trigger or group. Our officers proceed to work to de-escalate these demonstrations”
And:
“Officers in Toronto are sometimes publicly criticized for heavy handed techniques used throughout demonstrations. Right this moment, given a really dynamic scenario, officers continued to work to de-escalate these demonstrations and keep calm and the general public’s security”
Our officers are managing a dynamic scenario.
In performing a useful act at this time, our officer’s motivation was to assist preserve tensions low and shouldn’t be interpreted as exhibiting help for any trigger or group.
Our officers proceed to work to de-escalate these demonstrations https://t.co/iQUcfacteo— Laura Brabant (@LBrabant_TPS) January 6, 2024
Officers in Toronto are sometimes publicly criticized for heavy handed techniques used throughout demonstrations.
Right this moment, given a really dynamic scenario, officers continued to work to de-escalate these demonstrations and keep calm and the general public’s security— Laura Brabant (@LBrabant_TPS) January 7, 2024
Toronto Police had earlier introduced street closures for the Hamas demonstrators:
Street closure:
No entry to the Avenue Street/401 overpass from Wilson Ave or Bombay Ave till additional discover.
^lm— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) January 6, 2024
Liberal MP Marco Mendicino, who represents the world of the protest, criticized police, posting, “Good intentions apart, police serving espresso and meals to protestors will simply embolden extra deliberate obstruction of site visitors, undermine public security, and add to native frustrations. Legal guidelines exist to stop this. They should be enforced!…Given the persistent disturbances, the Metropolis ought to take a look at utilizing s.214.1 underneath the Freeway Site visitors Act to designate a group security zone on the intersection of 401 & Avenue Rd, and different neighbourhoods which will have been impacted.”
Given the persistent disturbances, the Metropolis ought to take a look at utilizing s.214.1 underneath the Freeway Site visitors Act to designate a group security zone on the intersection of 401 & Avenue Rd, and different neighbourhoods which will have been impacted.
— Marco Mendicino (@marcomendicino) January 6, 2024
Fellow Liberal MP Anthony Housefather additionally criticized police, “Police bringing meals and occasional to demonstrators within the present context of the protests in Toronto was a really poor choice by @TorontoPolice. Except the purpose is to additional undermine confidence in the way in which the drive is dealing with the demonstrations.”
Police bringing meals and occasional to demonstrators within the present context of the protests in Toronto was a really poor choice by @TorontoPolice . Except the purpose is to additional undermine confidence in the way in which the drive is dealing with the demonstrations.
— Anthony Housefather (@AHousefather) January 6, 2024
Caryma Sa’d posted many movies from the protest, together with the espresso supply video. A pattern under.
In a scene out of Monty Python’s Lifetime of Brian, demonstrators demanded lavatory privileges from police, which weren’t granted:
Excessive stakes negotiations between protesters and police over washroom entry on blocked bridge. #cdnpoli #Toronto #Palestine #Israel #Gaza #ProtestMania pic.twitter.com/c8V7mCV9Z4
— Caryma Sa’d – Lawyer + Political Satirist (@CarymaRules) January 6, 2024
Nonetheless, one Hamas supporter was allowed by police to ditch an indication that mirrored poorly on the protesters:
This was the undesirable signal: pic.twitter.com/04TmdgbpKT
— Caryma Sa’d – Lawyer + Political Satirist (@CarymaRules) January 6, 2024
Protesters ultimately agreed to not block the bridge:
Police agreed to reopen the overpass bridge, and protesters agreed to remain on one facet whereas preserving to the sidewalk. #cdnpoli #Toronto #Palestine #Israel #Gaza #ProtestMania pic.twitter.com/UfC77xPE6z
— Caryma Sa’d – Lawyer + Political Satirist (@CarymaRules) January 6, 2024
Insurgent Information writer Ezra Levant ripped police, “It’s not really the pro-Hamas extremists who’re blocking the street out and in of the Jewish group. It’s the police blocking the Jews for Hamas. They’re additionally delivering meals and drinks to Hamas. Toronto Police don’t deserve respect. They’re unprofessional and unethical.”
It’s not really the pro-Hamas extremists who’re blocking the street out and in of the Jewish group. It’s the police blocking the Jews for Hamas.
They’re additionally delivering meals and drinks to Hamas.
Toronto Police don’t deserve respect. They’re unprofessional and unethical. https://t.co/MjRfrfrn24
— Ezra Levant 🍁🚛 (@ezralevant) January 6, 2024