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Toronto (March 21, 2025) - Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) is calling on the Toronto Police Service to maintain heightened vigilance and enforce all laws against hate activity at the annual Al-Quds Day rally scheduled for March 23 in downtown Toronto.​ In recent years, the event has been a veritable anti-Jewish and anti-Israeli hatefest.

At a news conference this morning, Toronto Police Intelligence Services Superintendent Katherine Stephenson stated, “This weekend, Toronto Police will be highly visible, and our members will be present throughout the [Al-Quds Day] demonstration to proactively identify, if needed, any instances of hate… Every reported instance of hate, including at demonstrations, is investigated. This includes hate crimes, hate speech, hate signage, and flags of terrorist organizations designated by Public Safety Canada.”

Established by the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979, Al-Quds Day is an annual event observed in major cities worldwide, often marked by virulent anti-Israel and antisemitic sentiment. Previous Al-Quds Day rallies have openly incited hate and violence against Jews and promoted terrorism.​

Earlier this month, ahead of this weekend’s rally, FSWC urged leadership at the Toronto Police Service and City of Toronto to denounce what has typically happened at this yearly demonstration and ensure a strong police presence to prevent any incitement to hate, violence or terrorism.​

“Al-Quds Day has repeatedly served as a platform for dangerous, antisemitic rhetoric and incitement to violence,” said FSWC President and CEO Michael Levitt. “It’s imperative that Toronto law enforcement remains vigilant, ensuring that hate speech and calls for violence are not tolerated on our streets. No city should provide space for displays of wanton hate and vile glorification of terrorism.”

FSWC commends Toronto city councillors James Pasternak and Brad Bradford for their strong stance against the Al-Quds Day rally and appreciates the Toronto Police Service's efforts to ensure community safety and investigate all reported incidents of hate. Despite calls from the Jewish community for Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow to speak out, FSWC is disappointed by her continued silence on an issue that affects not only the Jewish community but all Torontonians.

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