Rebel News Reporter Arrested by Police While Trying to Question Pro-Palestinian Protesters
Udumbara
A reporter with Rebel News has been arrested a second time in just over two months.
In the footage captured by a Rebel News cameraman who was attending the event with Mr. Menzies, Toronto police can be seen escorting the reporter off the street and away from protesters after they start to pray.
Toronto police told The Epoch Times in an email that “the accused disrupted a group of individuals as they were praying and was removed from the area by officers.”
The email also said that Mr. Menzies was “uncooperative” when police requested he identify himself.
According to Rebel News publisher Ezra Levant, police said the reporter was arrested for not showing identification to police.
In the Rebel News video, Mr. Levant points to footage that seems to show Mr. Menzies going through cards in his wallet with police present, contesting the police’s account that Mr. Menzies was refusing to show ID. Police then start to arrest and handcuff Mr. Menzies.
One officer says: “You’re under arrest for obstructing police. I’ve asked you for identification numerous times. You failed to identify yourself. That’s obstructing police.”
The reporter appears to have dropped his wallet. An officer can be heard saying, “We’ll get it, sir. Don’t worry. No one will touch it. We’ll get your identification for you.”
Toronto police said that the reporter has been charged with obstructing a peace officer and breach of a peace bond.
The deputy prime minister remains silent while Mr. Menzies walks alongside her asking her questions. The video then shows a man in plain clothes intercepting and blocking Mr. Menzies, who says, “Excuse me, what are you doing?”
The man, who later identifies himself as a police officer, is then shown grappling with and pushing Mr. Menzies. He then tells the reporter that he’s under arrest as other officers surround them.
The plaintiffs—the media organization and Mr. Menzies—say that the actions of the officers violated his rights to security of the person and freedom from arbitrary detention.
They say it also violated Section 10 of the Charter of Rights, which requires that individuals be informed of the reasons for their detention or arrest.
Omid Ghoreishi contributed to this report.
