Mayor Chow and Chief Demkiw,

Since October 7, 2023, pro-Palestinian protestors have been assembling on the 401 overpass at Avenue Road. To be clear: there are no embassies, consulates, government offices, or legislative buildings in this area. It is, however, a residential community with many Jewish families. 

These protests are causing significant disruption, fear and anxiety for our children and families and must be stopped!

While Toronto Police Service has recently prevented the protestors from assembling on the 401 overpass, they have not shut down these protests. In an effort to prevent protestors from assembling on the overpass, TPS has shut down entire streets, prevented TTC bus access, closed down driving routes, and severely restricted residents’ access within our neighbourhood - making it much more difficult to get to work, access childcare locations and other amenities, and creating anxiety and panic in our community.  

The protestors have been emboldened by TPS’ lack of action: they post videos to X (Twitter) calling our neighbourhood a “Zionist infested area,” wave antisemitic flags, and harass our residential streets day and night with megaphones and smoke bombs. It is against the Criminal Code to obstruct a highway (s.423), cause a disturbance (s.175), or cause mischief (s.430). 

There is absolutely no reason why protests should be happening in this residential area; again, there are no government offices or embassies here.  This is a deliberate attempt to intimidate and harass a residential community.  

Toronto Police Service and politicians must take action: all protestors should be removed from our neighbourhood and not be allowed to return. We cannot have our streets shut down, bus routes restricted, and residents harassed for even one more day.  

We implore you to protect our community and take action now!