TORONTO — Eight people were arrested after protesters forced their way into a Member of Parliament’s constituency office in the city’s Bloor Street West and Dorval Road area on Thursday, Toronto police said Friday.
Police said officers responded at about 11:30 a.m. after a lone staff member retreated to a room and called 911. The staff member was escorted to safety, authorities said, and officers directed those in the office to leave. Eight individuals who refused to comply were placed under arrest.
The Toronto Police Service named the eight people charged as Faisal Ibrahim, 39; Chloe Tse, 24; Matthew J. Goodings, 59; Francois Villeneuve, 48; Atia A. Haq, 38; Susan Goldstein, 67; Alexander Vesuna, 30; and Michael DeForge, 38, all of Toronto. They face counts of forcible entry, unlawful assembly, mischief, and obstructing a peace officer. They are scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice, 10 Armoury Street, on Nov. 25, 2025.
Local media and police identified the office as belonging to Liberal MP Karim Bardeesy. A spokesperson for Bardeesy said staff were fearful and forced to flee, and that while peaceful protest is a democratic right, preventing staff from helping constituents is not.
Footage circulating on social media showed demonstrators wearing keffiyehs and chanting slogans. According to news coverage, participants called on the federal Liberal Party to adopt measures such as an arms embargo on Israel and to increase pressure related to other recent incidents involving Canadians and aid shipments. Police did not provide details on protesters’ demands in their news release.
The incident comes amid months of heightened protests and tensions in the city over the Israel-Gaza conflict. Bardeesy’s office has previously been targeted by demonstrators and activists in separate incidents earlier in 2025, including an episode reported in July in which props and paint were placed at the MP’s residence, according to community media. Bardeesy’s office has said it will continue to advocate for constituents affected by the wider international situation.
Toronto Police urged anyone with information to contact investigators through the non-emergency number 416-808-3500 or to submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477) or www.222tips.com.
Public-safety and legal experts say that entering a constituency office and refusing lawful directions from police can expose protesters to criminal charges even when demonstrations begin as peaceful expressions of political opinion. The charges laid by police in this case, forcible entry, unlawful assembly, mischief, and obstructing a peace officer, reflect those legal concerns.
For members of Toronto’s Jewish and pro-Israel community, the incident underscored continuing concerns about protests that cross from public demonstration into direct actions at elected officials’ offices. Community leaders who support Israel have repeatedly cautioned that activism must remain lawful and nonviolent, and that elected offices and staff must be able to serve constituents without fear.
The case will proceed through the Ontario court system. The accused are scheduled to appear in November. Police continue to seek additional information and any witnesses to the incident.
This article is based on verified information from the Toronto Police Service news release, reporting by CityNews, constituency information from the House of Commons, and community reporting.