11 people charged in Indigo bookstore vandalism

Eleven people have been charged with mischief following vandalism at an Indigo bookstore earlier this month, Toronto police said.

On Thursday, the force said officers arrested a 41-year-old on Nov. 14 and then subsequently arrested 10 others on Nov. 22. Police called the mischief "hate-motivated." 

The vandalism included a number of posters accusing CEO Heather Reisman, who is Jewish, of funding genocide, while red paint was also splashed across a glass door. 

The Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies issued a statement in the wake of the incident saying: "It is absolutely appalling to see this targeting of an Indigo store and its Jewish founder and CEO in a vile antisemitic attack."

However, dozens of protesters gathered outside 52 Division on Wednesday, calling on police to drop the charges. They dispute that the alleged actions were "hate-motivated" and called for the release of those charged. 

Police were called to the bookstore, located at the intersection of Bay and Bloor Streets, around 4 a.m. on Nov. 10.

On the same day, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow appealed for calm. Chow has condemned the targeting of local businesses amid the local tensions sparked by the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Ten of those arrested face charges of mischief over $5,000 and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence. The 41-year-old who was arrested first is charged solely with mischief over $5,000. 

In an update on Nov. 30, police say all 11 people were further charged with criminal harassment, alleging they "engaged in threatening conduct that caused a person to reasonably fear for their personal safety."

On top of the criminal harassment charge, the 41-year-old was additionally charged with conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.

Those charged are scheduled to appear in court through January 2024.