Ottawa Bylaw hands out noise fines to Palestine protesters, organizers vow legal action

The pro-Palestine protesters who marched through downtown Ottawa this weekend are facing nearly $1,500 in noise fines.

The pro-Palestine protesters who marched through downtown Ottawa this weekend are facing nearly $1,500 in noise fines.

Hundreds of demonstrators, including some dressed as Santa Claus, held a rally at the Human Rights Monument on Elgin Street Saturday before marching through downtown streets. The protest, organized by the Palestinian Youth Movement, was dubbed "No Christmas as Usual" and called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and an end to Canadian arms sales to Israel.

But some supporters noted on social media that there were a handful of fines from bylaw officers at this protest, which was the 11th weekly protest held by the group. Some of the demonstrations have drawn thousands of supporters.

In a statement to CTV News Ottawa, Ottawa Bylaw and Regulatory Services (BLRS) said three tickets were handed out.

"During the pro-Palestine protest on Saturday, BLRS addressed concerns about the use of sound reproduction devices, specifically loudspeakers and megaphones, through enforcement of the City of Ottawa’s Noise By-law. Initially, individuals were issued warnings, followed by three charges at $490 each when the activity persisted," said the statement, attributed to Roger Chapman, Director of Bylaw and Regulatory Services.

In a post on Instagram, the Palestinian Youth Movement called the fines a "clear attempt to suppress pro-Palestinian organizing and support" and vowed to take legal action.

"PYM Ottawa, Independent Jewish Voices Ottawa, Labour for Palestine, INSAF uOttawa, O4P, and other allied local organizations are currently consulting legal counsel and allies at various levels of government to mount a challenge to this undemocratic, racist, and politically motivated move by the City of Ottawa under the leadership of Mark Sutcliffe," the post said.