Violence Breaks Out at Anti-Gender Ideology Protest in Toronto; Police Respond with Arrests
TORONTO—The Toronto Police Service confirmed at least four arrests were made at a protest in North York against the inclusion of “Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity” (SOGI) ideology in Ontario’s elementary school curricula.
The Sept. 22 protest was organized in front of Victoria Park Collegiate Institute, a high school located on a quiet residential street, by 17-year-old activist Josh Alexander and Chris Elston, also known by his online moniker, Billboard Chris.
Police didn’t release more arrest details, but The Epoch Times confirmed three of the arrests were from the anti-SOGI side, of whom there were no more than 300 in attendance.
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The first arrest involved a protestor who was physically subdued by at least four police officers and carried away by his arms and legs.
The second arrest was of a military veteran, and the third arrest was of Josh’s younger brother, Nick, who was assaulted and bloodied before officers arrested him.
Nick’s arrest sparked anger from protestors, who chanted “Shame on you!” toward the arresting officers. Josh also pursued one officer in particular, demanding answers as to why his injured brother was arrested.
“Open the investigation right now,” he said in a face-to-face confrontation with one of the arresting officers.
“We’ve been working with you; we met with you guys beforehand. … I communicated with you,” he continued. “I told you ‘My brother is in trouble, let me get through.’ And now his face is pouring blood and you guys have arrested him.”
Opposing Irreversible Procedures
Speaking to a small, assembled crowd, Mr. Elston cited research into the irreversible effects of puberty blockers.
“When [adolescent females have] a hysterectomy, sometimes they get an oophorectomy, where they cut out their ovaries, and now they can never produce estrogen or the rest of their lives,” he said. “They’re turning children into lifelong pharmaceutical patients, and calling this love and kindness.”
Maxime Bernier, leader of the People’s Party of Canada—which distributed placards among the anti-SOGI side—attended the protest and told The Epoch Times that, while he was pleased with the turnout to “fight for our kids,” the encroachment of so-called gender ideology won’t recede unless dissenting voices grow louder.
“We need more people, and my main message to everybody across the country is to be part of the change, be the change,” he said. “Vote for candidates at the municipal level, at your board level, provincial level, federal level, for people who believe in your ideas. Don’t be afraid to speak about your values; have the courage of your convictions.”
Clash
There were about 100 counter-protestors, among whom was Amanda, a 21-year-old student who would only share her first name, who told The Epoch Times society needs to become more accepting.
“Society is changing and people are accepting who they are now and wanting to be who they are, and I think that is a right for everyone to at least learn about it and acknowledge it,” she said. “That doesn’t mean you have to go for it and be part of it, but I think it’s something that our society is definitely changing towards
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