A dozen ticketed as nearly 1,000 attend pro-Palestinian rally in Hamilton

Hamilton police say 12 people were ticketed at a pro-Palestinian rally Sunday that drew nearly 1,000 people outside city hall.

The demonstration Sunday was one of many in cities across Canada amid the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict. Supporters called for human rights for Palestinians and an end to occupation.

In videos and images posted on social media police could be seen ticketing some people as they left the event.

The number of people at the event exceeded the number allowed amid the pandemic and the dozen were charged under the Reopening Ontario Act.

Eight people were also ticketed at a separate antimask demonstration earlier in the day, police said.

The Hugs Over Mask group, which has been regularly demonstrating despite facing mounting tickets, saw about 20 people at city hall earlier Sunday.

The tickets were issued by both police and Hamilton bylaw.

Given the number in attendance at the pro-Palestine protest police said they will continue to review the incident in the coming days and may lay further charges."

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