Ottawa police investigating complaints of hate speech at pro-Palestinian rally

Ottawa police are investigating allegations of hate speech used during a pro-Palestinian rally on Parliament Hill on the weekend.

The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) said its hate and bias crime unit has launched an investigation following complaints about a demonstration «in relation to the Gaza Strip» on Saturday afternoon.

In an email to CBC, the OPS said it's in touch with community leaders and institutions about the situation.

Police offered no more specific details about the allegations, but several videos posted to social media over the weekend show hundreds of demonstrators in front of Parliament Hill on Saturday.

At one point a demonstrator who was leading the crowd in chants can be heard saying «October seventh is proof that we are almost free,» and «long live October seventh, long live the resistance.»

CBC has not identified the individual making those statements.According to the Israeli government, militants killed some 1,200 people in the Oct. 7 attacks.

A surprise attack by Hamas on Oct. 7 killed some 1,200 people, according to the Israeli government. More than 1,000 people were injured and about 250 more were taken hostage.

According to Hamas's top military commander at the time, the assault was in response to the continued blockade of Gaza, Israeli raids inside occupied West Bank cities over the past year and increasing attacks by settlers on Palestinians.

Federal leaders condemn statements

While there have been numerous protests across Canada and on Parliament Hill since that day, federal leaders were quick to condemn the rhetoric heard at Saturday's rally, calling it antisemitic.

«There is a difference between peaceful protest and hateful intimidation. It is unconscionable to glorify the antisemitic violence and