Pro-Palestinian protests targeting TTC stations fizzle after concern raised

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A series of pro-Palestinian protests at major intersections near TTC stations along the Bloor-Danforth line Tuesday night ended quietly after a Liberal MP added his voice to those concerned about the rallies.

Toronto Sun columnist Brian Lilley reported Tuesday evening seeing small crowds of protesters at the corners of Chester and Danforth Aves., near Chester Station, and Danforth and Pape Aves., near Pape Station.

The rally at Pape and Danforth appeared to be confined to the sidewalks with little disruption to commuters.

“I could have a bigger crowd for a pub crawl,” Lilley posted on X. “Not a single sign against Hamas. Not a single call to release the hostages. Quite typical really.”

The anti-Israel protesters had planned citywide rallies from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

“The planned ‘Occupy Danforth’ demonstrations (Tuesday) threaten to shut down access to transportation infrastructure while widening divisions between our communities,” said Liberal MP Vince Gasparro, who represents the riding of Eglinton-Lawrence, in a tweet posted on his X account.

“I am ready to facilitate any federal support the city may need to protect our infrastructure while combatting crime and antisemitism.”

Gasparro also shared a letter of concern he sent to Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and to “offer assistance of my office in combatting rise of hate crimes, particularly targeting the Jewish community.

“Many Jewish constituents in my riding of Eglinton-Lawrence have expressed their growing fear and anxiety,” Gasparro wrote in the letter to Chow.

“No Canadian community should ever be held responsible for a foreign conflict or the decisions of a foreign government. International conflicts must not create divisions that play out in our streets. The current situation is untenable. More must be done.”

On Monday, Toronto Councillor James Pasternak cautioned the pro-Palestinian group’s planned “Danforth takeover” was a “threat to critical city infrastructure.”

Pasternak called on Toronto Police and the TTC to “ensure safe public access to all subway stations and City of Toronto infrastructure.”

The protest, aimed at Canada’s involvement with Israel amid its war with Hamas, was planned at the peak of rush hour. Pasternak said he was worried the protest could “significantly impact” the commute of hundreds of thousands of people.

However, Johanna Lewis, the organizer of Davenport for Palestine and the Arms Embargo Now Campaign, said her protest — which saw about 70 people banging pots and pans on the street — was a family-friendly educational event with some children on the scene with their parents.

“We want to raise awareness among the Canadian public, among our neighbours, among commuters who are passing this intersection on their way home and let them know what the government is doing,” said Lewis to CP24.

“The government has not been transparent about its actions, so that leaves it to us to do that education work with the public.”

Canada recently signed a joint statement with two dozen other countries that says a famine is unfolding in Gaza.

Toronto Police spokesperson Stephanie Sayer said in a statement to the Toronto Sun on Monday that officers would be in attendance to “monitor the situation and respond to any issues that may arise.”

TTC spokesperson Stuart Green told the Sun as well that transit officials were “ready to respond accordingly” to ensure the safety of passengers and that service continued without disruption.

— With files from Jordan Ercit.

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