Charges Dropped Against Nine Arrested at Pro-Palestine Protest

According to data compiled by the LSC, charges against pro-Palestine protesters rarely result in convictions. The organization says that approximately 170 people have been arrested as a result of Palestine solidarity actions since October 2023. Of those 170 arrested, 16 received trespass tickets and 154 received criminal charges. Of the 96 people who have had their charges resolved so far, only two have been convicted, while the rest have had their charges withdrawn, stayed or received discharges.

“The trend we have seen in the last two years is that the Toronto Police overarrest, brutalize, and surveil Palestine solidarity protesters,” LSC’s Dalia Awwad said in a statement. “The police attempt to show their ‘effectiveness’ through press releases — advertising arrests in order to justify an ever-increasing, inflated budget. When, in reality, the vast majority of charges have no merit and are ultimately withdrawn.”