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Toronto man charged with publicly inciting hatred during Brampton protest
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Toronto man charged with publicly inciting hatred during Brampton protest

A Toronto man was arrested and charged with publicly inciting hatred after a protest in Brampton on Monday, Peel Regional Police said.

In a press release issued on Thursday, police said the protest took place in front of the Hindu Sabha Mandir on The Gore Road.

Police deployed their public order unit to disperse the gathered crowd as tensions rose, police added.

The man, aged 57, was arrested and charged on Wednesday and has since been released on conditions. He is scheduled to appear at the Brampton courthouse at a later date.

Police said they investigated several offenses that occurred during the protest and that many of them were filmed.

“In one video, an individual is captured using a loudspeaker to incite violence, calling for groups to storm Sikh temples,” police said in the statement.

Police have issued arrest warrants for a 24-year-old man from Kitchener, Ontario. man and a 22-year-old man of no fixed address. The two men are wanted for uttering threats of death or bodily harm, conspiracy to commit armed assault and conspiracy to commit mischief.

Police are urging the men to seek legal advice and turn themselves in to authorities.

“Peel Regional Police are committed to respecting the right of all people to protest, in accordance with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms,” police said in their statement.

“No acts of violence, threats of violence or vandalism will be tolerated. We appreciate the cooperation of those who remained peaceful during these events.”

A crowd of people stands in front of a Hindu temple on a dark autumn evening
A crowd gathers outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir on Sunday evening. (Britnei Bilhete/CBC)

Monday’s demonstration took place after violent confrontation on Sunday in front of the same temple.

Three men were charged over the incident, which involved violence between groups of protesters.

Police said they have formed what they call a strategic investigation team to look into criminal acts committed during protests on Sunday and Monday.

Tensions in Brampton have increased since expulsion from Canada six Indian diplomats last month over allegations they used their positions to gather information about Canadians who were members of the Sikh separatist movement.