Protest that blocks busy Toronto highway leads to charge against Mississauga man

A Mississauga man has been charged in connection with a public demonstration last November in which a large group of people blocked traffic on the busy Gardiner Expressway in Toronto.

Toronto Police said in a news release today that a search warrant executed on Monday led to the arrest of the man in addition to the seizure of evidence.

According to police, they received numerous calls last Nov. 22 shortly after 1 p.m. from people complaining that a large group of protesters was blocking the westbound Gardiner Expressway at Spadina Avenue.

“Traffic was blocked at the Spadina Avenue ramp as a result of several vehicles stopped on the Gardiner Expressway,” police said in the news release. “It was reported that several people got out of their vehicles and engaged in an unlawful assembly on the highway.”

Police added that the protesters fled the scene when officers arrived.

Ahmad Islaih, 26, of Mississauga, is charged with mischief interfere with property. He’s scheduled to appear in Toronto court on March 6.

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Police say the investigation continues.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-3500 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477.

Less than two weeks ago, another Mississauga man was charged in connection with an unrelated protest in Toronto.

That demonstration took place on the Highway 401 overpass at Avenue Road just several days after protests on the overpass had been officially banned.

The protests are being staged in response to the Israel-Hamas war.