What to know

Pro-Palestine protesters demonstrated inside Toronto’s Eaton Centre on Boxing Day.

Debate followed on the impact of protesting on private property, as opinions split between defending peaceful protest and calling for demonstrations to move to public spaces.

Pro-Palestine protesters took to Toronto’s Eaton Centre on one of the busiest shopping days of the year, prompting mixed reactions from shoppers.

The blizzard outside did little to stop Toronto shoppers this Boxing Day, as hundreds flocked to the largest shopping mall in the city to take advantage of the extended hours and deals.

Read More

This holiday season, the mall has been offering a light and indoor snow show every hour on the hour from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Yesterday, when the clock struck 4 o’clock, the display of dazzling lights began along with chants by pro-Palestine protesters.

Protesters in Toronto disrupted Boxing Day shopping at Eaton Centre Mall to raise awareness of Canada’s ongoing complicity in Israel’s genocide of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank — violence that continues despite a so-called ceasefire. pic.twitter.com/iDcknYG4NN

— Nur Dogan (@nurdogandiyorki) December 27, 2025

“Carney, Carney, you can’t hide,” protesters could be heard chanting across multiple videos circulating online. “You’re supporting genocide.”

“If we don’t get no justice, then you don’t get no peace,” they were heard chanting.

The protest, organized by Palestinian Youth Movement, called on the Carney government to impose an arms embargo on Israel.

“This was incredibly well organized,” one participant commented on the organizer’s social media post. “Huge respect to all the organizers.”

“In this weather condition? You guys are amazing,” wrote another supporter, as the city recorded over eight centimeters of snow.

“So happy to see such a powerful protest on the busiest shopping day of the year,” another Instagram user commented.

Read More

Up for debate following the demonstration was the organizer’s choice of location, as people questioned whether it was the right place at the right time.

“People were not there to debate geopolitics. They were there to shop, work, and spend time with family in peace,” one X user wrote.

“This is private property, so how is this allowed to persist? During the season most likely to make or break your business. The tenants should sue,” one X user suggested.

While many came to the defence of peaceful protests, the fact that the protest took place on private property drew criticism.

“Peaceful protest is protected. Disrupting public spaces with zero enforcement isn’t,” another reasoned. “Laws that aren’t enforced aren’t laws, they’re suggestions.”

“Everyone has a right to peaceful protest in Canada, but this is private property. Take your protest to a public space in Toronto,” another said.

As the city looks ahead to its New Year’s Eve celebration at the Harbourfront Centre, there is a pro-Palestinian protest scheduled at the same location starting at 11 p.m.