A video circulating on social media appears to show Toronto police officers intervening to stop the playing of the Canadian national anthem as the Palestinian flag was raised at Toronto City Hall. The flag raising reportedly marked the first time the Palestinian flag has flown at the municipal building. According to the user who posted the video, the police action was taken to silence “patriotic Canadians” present at the event.
The incident has sparked debate online, with some users criticizing the police action as an affront to Canadian identity and freedom of expression. Others have defended the police, suggesting their actions were intended to maintain order and prevent potential escalations during a sensitive event. As of 2023, various Canadian municipalities have debated and sometimes approved the raising of the Palestinian flag in solidarity with Palestine, often during specific commemorative periods.