Swords and machetes weapons of choice in Brampton 'hideousness'
Author of the article:Joe Warmington
Published Nov 05, 2024 • Last updated 11 hours ago • 4 minute read
This will go down as the “night of the long swords” in the GTA.
This was a battle over Indian politics and religion fought not in Mumbai but on the streets of Brampton.
This was anarchy, as Nov. 4 marked the date that Canada saw swords in the streets as part of a religious battle that turned Brampton into an armed battleground.
“Police saw swords in the crowd, and they are investigating,” Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown told the Toronto Sun on Tuesday.
Daggers, metal rods and machetes, too.
Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah said people can expect to see multiple arrests very soon.
“Over the past several days, we’ve experienced protests at or near Sikh and Hindu places of worship in Mississauga and Brampton” that “have sparked serious concerns for public safety as they escalated beyond what is acceptable. This has included violence and criminal activity,” he said.
While Peel police say the force “recognizes and understands the importance of the right to assemble peacefully,” these demonstrations “became dangerous and unlawful when opposing groups began confronting one another and a number of agitators intentionally provoked conflict.”
This whole thing is a powder keg in which just one match or one cut can result in all hell breaking loose, leaving bodies, the injured and a scarred city in its wake.
It’s just fortunate there has been no bloodshed already. There were weapons deployed that could have easily resulted in that. As bad as what social media videos show, Brown said there was more mayhem and evil plans in the works.
“There was chatter found on messaging boards for one group of protesters to throw oil on the police,” he said.
Police put out a news release Tuesday saying someone “sprayed a noxious substance during the demonstrations” in which a “victim received minor injuries and was treated by paramedics.”
This is insane.
Also on this evening, police officers were attacked and overwhelmed by the hundreds upon hundreds of angry and violent protesters from all sides. Calling it “unacceptable,” Brown said it all needs to end immediately.
“We don’t need this hideousness in Canada,” Brown told the Sun on Monday night, adding, “We must be better than this in Canada.”
The mayor, who has spent time in India and works with and has the support of people from all sides in this dispute, said, “Religious freedom is a foundational value in Canada, and we can’t have faith communities intimidating and harassing each other.”
But it’s happening. Long-running feuds in India involving Sikhs, Khalistan separatists and Hindus are in full swing in Brampton – something the world is watching, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the World Sikh Organization, which both condemned this violence. Brown said the settling of old scores is not tolerable in Canada.
“To be blunt,” Brown said, “if you don’t support religious freedom, then go back home, Canada isn’t for you.”
Time will tell if Brown’s strong, important words are adhered to.
As police braced for more potential demonstrations and problems, it’s not lost on anybody involved that no one on any side was listening either Sunday or Monday when long-running Indian political and religious grievances spilled over the walls of a Brampton temple and into the streets and mall parking lots in both Brampton and northern Mississauga.
Most of the skirmishes and lawlessness were in the Gore and Ebenezer Rds. area, between the Sikh Gurdwara Dasmesh Darbar and the Hindu Sabha Mandir temples. Police sources say weapons including machetes and swords were spotted in 10 different locations. Peel Regional Police felt it was so dangerous, they asked people to stay away.
“Weapons have been observed by police within the demonstration and this is now an unlawful assembly,” cops posted to X Monday night.
With things about to spin out of control and danger to demonstrators and officers, Peel cops immediately called for backup from Toronto Police, which ordered its off-duty Public Order Unit team to assemble and come to Brampton to help outnumbered officers curtail the actions of this unruly mob.
Videos posted to social media show participants with blades and machetes, vehicles being smashed, police being challenged and people yelling angry vitriol.
“The Indian army must come to Canada and storm the Khalistan Sikh temple,” one man is heard yelling.
This is Canada.
There is no way the politics of India should be played out on our streets here — let alone any suggestion that the Indian military come here to attack an enemy.
On X, Brown stated, “This was the idiot at the Hindu Sabha last night trying to direct violence against those of Sikh faith” and he added that “agitators trying to incite violence need to be dealt with promptly and swiftly.”
Officers are going through videos and say dozens of arrests have been made or are imminent.
Peel police have also suspended one of its own sergeants who — while off-duty — was seen attending a demonstration that turned violent. The force has released few details about its decision.
Brown said no one on any side should be spared of the law.
jwarmington@postmedia.com
This will go down as the 'Night of the Long Swords' in the GTA.
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