Toronto Police removed the handcuffs and returned the hatchet to the man in an orange shirt with no charges...
"Even if the public has an axe to grind with the decision, Toronto Police stand behind their call to return a hatchet to a protester they had in handcuffs.
“Officers determined the axe was ceremonial and not used as a weapon or to threaten anyone,” Toronto Police spokesperson Stephanie Miceli said. “There are no grounds to lay charges.” "
The article goes to explain:
"Sa’d said it was later explained to her the man was a “traditional firekeeper” but she did note there was no traditional fire-burning anywhere in sight.
Admittedly irritated at first, she acknowledges it’s not only purportedly legal in the Criminal Code of Canada to carry around a hatchet as long as it’s not used in a crime or for defensive purposes, under city of Toronto rules, there is also special status for Indigenous sacred fire and firekeepers. "
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