4 arrests made at pro-Palestinian demonstration downtown: police

Toronto police say four people were arrested at a pro-Palestinian demonstration on Saturday.

Officers were on scene at a demonstration  in the area of University Avenue and Armoury Street at around 5:10 p.m.

In a news release Sunday, police said four people who were attending the protest were taken into police custody. One of the four individuals was under a large flag being held up by demonstrators and was seen painting the roadway, the release said.

"While officers were placing the suspect under arrest, other demonstrators attempted to prevent officers from making the arrest," police said.

One person allegedly assaulted an officer during the arrest, according to the release.

"Police learned that protestors were using a large flag to conceal that they were painting the street," police spokesperson Const. Laurie McCann said in an earlier a statement to CBC Toronto Saturday.

"When officers attempted to confiscate the flag, some protestors reacted aggressively and obstructed police."

A 52-year-old Toronto woman was charged with mischief or damage to a property exceeding $5,000. A 28-year-old Toronto woman was charged with obstructing and assaulting a peace officer. A 25-year-old Niagara man was charged with obstructing a peace officer. A 31-year-old Brampton man was charged with obstructing a peace officer.

According to a post on Instagram by group Toronto 4 Palestine, the protest was staged outside of the U.S. Consulate on University Avenue.

Demonstrators were calling for an immediate ceasefire, in support of the thousands of protesters who circled the White House with a red banner Saturday, demanding that U.S. President Joe Biden enforces a "red line" in Gaza.

All four accused are scheduled to appear in court on July 19.