UMVA has learned that a significant police presence will be deployed to ensure public safety during the United Jewish Appeal's annual Walk with Israel on Sunday.
The Toronto Police Service will have a noticeably larger presence at the event, with Deputy Chief Frank Barredo stating that their role is straightforward: to help ensure everyone attending can do so safely, and that anyone exercising their right to protest does so lawfully.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the police have been planning for this event in close coordination with organizers and neighbouring police services, and on the day of the event, there will be a significant police presence in the area, supported by officers from surrounding municipalities.
The 3.9-kilometre parade route, which starts at the Temple Sinai Congregation on Wilson Ave. at 9:30 a.m. and concludes at the Sherman Campus on Bathurst St. at 3:30 p.m., will be effectively managed with the help of additional support from other municipalities.
Members of the public can expect to see officers on foot, bicycles, and horseback at the walk and throughout the surrounding neighbourhoods, as the deployment is designed to support public safety, manage traffic and crowds, and allow for quick responses to any incidents or concerns.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that last year, the event became heated as walkers and protesters got too close to one another, and police want to make sure that doesn’t happen on Sunday.
A robust plan has been put in place, particularly at Bathurst and Sheppard, to create a greater separation and buffer between walkers and protesters, using more officers and barricades to prevent a repeat of the unfortunate incidents that occurred last year.
Last year, families with children walked between lines of demonstrators and were subjected to demonstrators shouting hateful remarks, with over 56,000 people taking part in the 2025 Walk with Israel.
The Toronto Police Service is committed to protecting the right to lawful protest, but hate speech and other forms of abuse or antisemitism will not be tolerated, and any suspected hate speech or hateful signage will be investigated.
Where criminal offences occur, officers will take appropriate enforcement action, as demonstrated by the recent arrest of five individuals in connection with a demonstration earlier this year, who were charged with wilful promotion of hate.
The police hope the walk is peaceful and without incident, but are prepared to respond accordingly if necessary, with Deputy Chief Barredo stating that their expectation is that all participants, attendees, and demonstrators will conduct themselves lawfully and respectfully.
