Toronto (Jan 11) – A 41-year-old Toronto man has been arrested and charged with Public Incitement of Hatred after waiving a terrorist flag at a large demonstration in the downtown area.
Police said that on Sunday, Maged Sameh Hilal Al Khalaf, 41, of Toronto, was arrested and charged after he allegedly marched in the Queen Street West and Bay Street area waving a flag of an organization listed as a terrorist group by Public Safety Canada.
Al Khalaf is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice next month.
“Hate and intimidation can have no space in our city and we have been unwavering in our commitment to restore the sense of public safety, and not tolerate behavior that crosses the line to criminal activity,” said Myron Demkiw, Chief of Police, as he announced the significant arrest at today’s Toronto Police Services Board monthly meeting. “Our officers have worked tirelessly to manage 308 demonstrations ….exponentially more than any other city in Canada.”
Chief Demkiw says the demonstrations have escalated, particularly on the Avenue Road bridge over Highway 401, and now pose a public safety threat that has left many in the surrounding Jewish community feeling intimidated.
“Moving forward, demonstrations or the congregation of individuals on the Avenue Road overpass will not be permitted. People can expect to be arrested if necessary,” said Chief Demkiw.
The police chief also updated the Board on reported hate crimes in Toronto.
In 2023, the number of reported hate crime occurrences increased by 42 per cent compared to 2022, with 353 reported in 2023 and 248 reported in 2022. In good news, there was a 48 per cent decrease in reported hate crimes in December 2023 (10 reported) compared to November 2023 (48 reported).
Anti-Semitism continues to account for more reported hate crimes than any other category, making up 37 per cent of all hate crimes reported in 2023. In 2023, there were 132 reported anti-Semitic hate crimes compared to 65 in 2022. There was also 35 reported anti-Muslim/Palestinian/Arab hate crimes in 2023 compared to 12 in 2022.
Also troubling is the 65 per cent increase in LGBTQ2S+ hate crimes reported in 2023, the second highest category – there were 66 reported in 2023 compared to 40 in 2022, police said.
To date in 2024, there have been three reported hate crimes in Toronto, two that were anti-Semitic and one targeting LGBTQ2S+ communities. As well, the Service has received 145 web submissions to date from people using the Hate Graffiti Web Form.
