Ottawa police said Monday they have opened a hate speech investigation after a pro-Palestinian rally over the weekend where protesters allegedly chanted support for Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks in Israel.
“The Ottawa Police Service has received complaints about hate speech that was used during one demonstration in relation to the Gaza Strip on Saturday afternoon,” police said in a statement to Global News.
“Our Hate and Bias Crime Unit has launched an investigation into those allegations and we have received video of the incident. The Service is in close contact with community leaders and institutions, and we understand the community’s concerns.”
Video posted online that appeared to be taken at Saturday’s rally, which marched through downtown and past Parliament Hill, included audio of a man speaking to a crowd carrying Palestinian flags. In the video, the man can be heard praising the attack on Oct. 7, 2023, calling it a …