Eight people were arrested Thursday morning after protesters entered the constituency office of Liberal MP Karim Bardeesy on Bloor Street West, demanding federal action to secure the release of Toronto activist Mskwaasin Agnew, who had been detained by Israeli forces earlier in the week.
According to the Toronto Police Service, a group of 30 to 40 protesters forced their way into the common area of Bardeesy’s Bloordale office, located near Bloor Street West and Dorval Road. The lone staff member inside retreated to another room and called 911.
When officers arrived, eight individuals refused to leave and were subsequently arrested.
The protest was part of a wider campaign urging the Canadian government to help free Agnew, a 33-year-old Cree and Dene harm reduction worker from Parkdale, who was detained aboard a humanitarian flotilla intercepted by Israeli forces on Tuesday. She was released roughly 30 hours later and is currently in Turkey awaiting her return to Canada.
Those arrested were identified as Faisal Ibrahim (39), Chloe Tse (24), Matthew J Goodings (59), Francois Villeneuve (48), Atia A Haq (38), Susan Goldstein (67), Alexander Vesuna (30), and Michael DeForge (38) — all Toronto residents.
They face four charges each: forcible entry, unlawful assembly, mischief, and obstructing a peace officer. The eight are scheduled to appear in court at the Ontario Court of Justice, 10 Armoury Street, on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.
Bardeesy represents the riding of Taiaiako’n—Parkdale—High Park, and his office became a focal point for activists following Agnew’s detention. Her participation in the Freedom Flotilla — a nine-vessel aid mission to Gaza — has galvanized local protests and political debate in Toronto.