Road closures, increased police presence expected for weekend Walk with Israel

CBC News

· Posted: May 23, 2025 10:27 AM EDT | Last Updated: May 23

Torontonians should expect an accrued constabulary beingness and roadworthy closures astir the United Jewish Appeal's yearly Walk with Israel event this weekend, constabulary say.

The 3.9-kilometre locomotion and festival astatine Sherman Campus is happening from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., with roadworthy closures successful effect from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Roads volition beryllium closed astatine Wilson Avenue and Avenue Road, westbound connected Wilson Avenue to Bathurst Street and northbound connected Bathurst to Finch Avenue West, constabulary say. Vehicle entree connected Bathurst Street and Wilson Avenue volition beryllium limited, with postulation connected broadside streets only.

In a connection Friday, Deputy Chief Lauren Pogue said constabulary are "aware of plans by immoderate individuals to interfere with the event.

"We proceed to uphold the close to peaceful assembly and expression," the connection reads. "But intimidation, harassment, hatred speech, oregon transgression behaviour volition not beryllium tolerated. Anyone engaging successful transgression enactment tin expect to beryllium arrested."

Toronto constabulary officers volition person a "strong presence" astatine the event, Pogue said, alongside constabulary from York, Durham, Peel, and the OPP.

The lawman main besides said determination volition beryllium a "designated area" for protestation successful an effort to "reduce tensions and assistance debar confrontations."

"We promote unfastened connection betwixt organizers, demonstrators and constabulary passim the day," she said.