Toronto man charged in connection with assault at demonstration

A Toronto Police Service logo in Ottawa, on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

A Toronto man has been arrested and charged following an alleged assault at a Feb. 20 demonstration in the city’s Yorkville area.

The incident happened around 3:30 p.m. near Yonge and Bloor streets at a weekly ‘Fridays for Palestine’ rally, Toronto police said Monday.

Investigators said a suspect approached a victim and assaulted them.

In a follow-up email, a media officer told CP24 that the accused “punched the victim in the face,” adding that they don’t know if the victim was a demonstrator or a counter demonstrator.

“As far as I’m aware, there were no other injuries or arrests,” the police officer said.

Maury Cheskes, 33, of Toronto, has been charged with assault and failure to comply with probation order. The charges have not been proven in court.

He is scheduled to appear in court on March 23.

This investigation is ongoing and anyone with further information is asked to contact Toronto police at 416-808-3500 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.