Several arrested after protesters allegedly force way into TMU student group event with Israeli soldiers
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Five people were arrested after a group of protesters “forced entry” into a private event at a downtown building, said Toronto police.
Officers responded at 1:13 p.m. Wednesday to a building near Elm Street and Bay Street, where they allege protesters had damaged property and entered a common area event attendees were gathered.
One person was injured from broken glass during the forced entry, police said in a news release Thursday.
A 25 year-old from Oakville and a 22-year-old from Toronto were arrested, police say, and have been charged with forcible entry, unlawful assembly and obstruction of a peace officer.
Toronto police said a 21-year-old from Toronto was charged with obstruction of a peace officer, a 23-year-old from Toronto was charged with forcible entry and unlawful assembly, and a 29-year-old was arrested for obstruction and assault of a peace officer.
The suspects are all expected to appear in court in early January 2026.
A Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) student group called Students Supporting Israel (SSI) said in social media posts that an off-campus event it organized was targeted.
Videos posted by the group show broken glass and people shouting.
A post on SSI’s Instagram page said protestors “forced their way” into the event that featured two Israeli soldiers as part of the national “Combat on Campus” tour.
It said one of the invited soldiers was injured in the incident from shattered glass.
Another TMU student group, Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), said in a social media statement that students protesting the event “were grabbed, shoved, chased and thrown to the ground” by one of the soldiers.
The group also alleged that Toronto police attended the scene and followed students to a subway station, where protestors were pinned to the ground before being arrested.
The university said it was “deeply concerned” about the incident.
“TMU condemns acts of aggression, intimidation, or violence,” it said in a statement.
“The actions that took place on Wednesday are unacceptable and do not reflect the values of our community. Our thoughts are with any students who may have been injured during the incident.”
