Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw attends a press conference in Toronto on Monday, May 1, 2023. Demkiw is apologizing after an officer was filmed handing coffee to a protester at a pro-Palestinian demonstration. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston
Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw attends a press conference in Toronto on Monday, May 1, 2023. Demkiw is apologizing after an officer was filmed handing coffee to a protester at a pro-Palestinian demonstration. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston
Toronto's police chief is apologizing after an officer was filmed handing coffee to a protester at a pro-Palestinian demonstration.
Chief Myron Demkiw didn't specifically reference the incident in his statement but said questions had been raised about a particular interaction on Saturday between officers and a person at the Avenue Road bridge demonstration.
In a video circulated on social media by lawyer Caryma Sa'd, a demonstrator says officers agreed to deliver the Tim Hortons coffee box and cups on behalf of people police had stopped from joining the protest.
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The chief's statement says, "Whatever the intent, the impact has been to cause concern and confusion and for that I am sorry."
The recurrent demonstration at the Avenue Road bridge over the 401 Highway has been criticized by some city councillors and Jewish groups for its location in a neighbourhood with a large Jewish population.
Police have shut down the bridge at least three other times citing the safety of demonstrators, counter-demonstrators and passing traffic.
In his statement, Demkiw says he ordered a review of Saturday's events.
"Let me be clear and unequivocal: our commitment to keeping our city's Jewish community safe is unwavering," he said in a statement, posted on Sunday to X, formerly known as Twitter. "We are doing everything we can in the locations that have been targeted for demonstration to uphold and enforce the law."
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