WARMINGTON: A near pro-Hamas riot at Casa Loma results in charges

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What happened outside of Casa Loma, at Davenport and Spadina Rds., Tuesday night was ugly and leaves a stench on Toronto.

Witnesses say they were subjected to Heil Hitler arm gestures at this event, accosted as they entered and were told “if you’re here, you’re a Nazi.” While Toronto Police did not lay any hate crimes charges here, they do allege there  were assaults, threats, insults toward attendees and disrespect shown toward the police and the occasional middle finger offered.

There was a temporary takeover of the street that police quickly took back.

And Toronto Police made arrests.

Kerry Gauer, 46, of Toronto, was charged with “mischief Interfere with property, assault with a weapon, assault and wearing a disguise with intent.”

Police alleged “the accused approached the first victim and interfered with their ability to enter a venue, before assaulting them with a large plastic object” and “the accused was then involved in an altercation with a second victim, a youth” in which “during the altercation, the accused grabbed the second victim” and was allegedly “wearing a face covering during both incidents.”

Meanwhile, Toronto Police also reported Vincent Tourangeau, 50, of Toronto, was charged with “assaulting a peace officer,” with police claiming “the accused pushed and struck a police officer in the lawful execution of their duties.”

In both cases, the allegations have not been tested in court.

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It’s clear things are nasty out there now. Almost every day. But this was an indicator of how low things can go.

“B’nai Brith Canada condemns the shameful protest outside Casa Loma, where a mob attempted to disrupt a peaceful event focused on dialogue and human rights,” said Austin Parcels, manager of research and advocacy for B’nai B’rith Canada. “Events promoting coexistence and the combating of antisemitism should be celebrated, not hostility confronted.”

But this pure anti-Jewish bullying – even impeding and intimidating innocent people as they were walking into the event. Sometimes getting in their way and pushing them.

This was not in Gaza. But the emotion and behaviour were as if it was.

Hateful, mean, profane and violent.

It was an evening to mark the Abraham Global Peace Initiative event at Casa Loma, featuring former Israeli United Nations ambassador Gilad Erdan, who many feel could one day become Israel’s prime minister.

What was on display outside the entrance of Casa Loma was a battle in Toronto’s race and religious war — between those supporting Hamas and those backing Israel.

No one was hurt.

This time.

The previous battle was at the Walk With Israel Sunday which had the same vitriol and harsh words used and murder symbolism as well.

No one was hurt.

That time.

But when a police officer, pro-Palestine protester or Israeli backer is hurt or killed, Toronto will be marred forever – the way it was by the Danforth shooting spree, the Yonge St. van attack or the death of far too many cops. These constant showdowns are a tinderbox requiring only a spark to set things off at a level that no amount of law enforcement will be able to stop.

It’s just a matter of time.

But this time police made some arrests. It’s the only way to keep order.

If demonstrators think they can harass people while masked, they will push things as far as they can.

What happened at Casa Loma was an example of things going way too far.