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Mayoral event in Nathan Philips Square interrupted by demonstrators

Click to play video: '‘Ceasefire now!’: Toronto mayor interrupted by Palestinian protesters at annual ice skating event'
‘Ceasefire now!’: Toronto mayor interrupted by Palestinian protesters at annual ice skating event
WATCH: Marking Toronto’s annual mayoral ice-skating party on Sunday, Mayor Olivia Chow attempted to deliver opening remarks at Nathan Philips Square — before opening the rink to the public — however, was interrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters demanding “ceasefire now!” – Jan 7, 2024

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow held the annual Mayor’s Skating Party in Nathan Philips Square Sunday, which was interrupted by demonstrators.

While addressing the media about the free skating event, Chow was interrupted several times by protestors with megaphones waving Palestinian flags.

Several security guards stepped in to create a barrier between the mayor and the demonstrators.

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Chow remarked how important this skating event was to her, and that she considers Nathan Philips Square a special place from her childhood.

While explaining the event’s activities, Mayor Chow paused to address one of the demonstrators who was interrupting her, saying “I already put out a statement calling for a ceasefire.”

Eventually, the situation escalated, and Chow was escorted off the ice while demonstrators continued to protest the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

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After she exited the rink, demonstrators could be heard saying to skaters “while you’re skating, bombs are dropping.”

The conflict between Israel and Hamas has been raging since Oct. 7, 2023.

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