Pro-Palestine protesters demonstrated inside Toronto’s Eaton Centre on Boxing Day, one of the busiest shopping days of the year, prompting debate over protesting on private property.
Protest Disrupts Boxing Day Shopping
Despite blizzard conditions, hundreds of shoppers flocked to the Eaton Centre to take advantage of Boxing Day sales. Around 4 p.m., pro-Palestine protests began during the mall’s indoor snow show.
Protesters could be heard chanting slogans such as “Carney, Carney, you can’t hide, you’re supporting genocide” and “If we don’t get no justice, then you don’t get no peace.” The protest, organized by the Palestinian Youth Movement, called on the government to impose an arms embargo on Israel.
Social media users commented on the organization of the protest, with one participant calling it “incredibly well organized.” Others praised protesters for demonstrating despite the severe weather, with the city recording over eight centimeters of snow.
Debate Over Location
The choice of location sparked debate, with some questioning whether a busy shopping mall was the appropriate venue for a political demonstration. Some argued that shoppers were not there to discuss geopolitics and that the protest disrupted their day.
Others raised concerns about protesting on private property, suggesting the mall’s tenants could pursue legal action. However, many defended the right to peaceful protest, while acknowledging the issue of private property.
“Peaceful protest is protected. Disrupting public spaces with zero enforcement isn’t,” one social media user wrote. Others suggested protesters move to public spaces in Toronto.
A pro-Palestinian protest is scheduled to take place at Harbourfront Centre on New Year’s Eve, starting at 11 p.m.
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