We are a group of Psychologists & Mental Health professionals who are appalled to see footage of the recent pro-Palestinian demonstrations outside of Zara at Yorkdale. Visitors to the mall – including young children there to visit Santa during the holiday season – were exposed to a loud and angry mob of protestors, along with props meant to represent corpses. In many videos, children are seen screaming and crying in fear.

Given that Yorkdale is private property for the purpose of retail, not politics, one would expect your security team to have shut down the demonstrations immediately. Instead, security guards are seen simply standing around without attempting to break up the demonstrations. There was no meaningful police presence available to shut down such a protest & to end the psychological violence/intimidation. 

As concerned shoppers (parents & others) who choose Yorkdale for their Holiday & year-round shopping, we no longer feel comfortable with the management of safety at Yorkdale Mall. 

The demonstrations could have easily turned violent, as we have already witnessed at various locations in downtown Toronto. One would have expected your team to call the police and quickly shut down the demonstrations in order to keep everyone safe.

Shopping at Yorkdale should be a pleasurable and safe experience for the larger community. Please let us know the steps that Yorkdale will be taking to ensure that no further protests will be supported by this establishment.