Two Black woman have alleged that they were racially profiled by a Toronto bylaw officer when they visited a city park on Tuesday.
According to the women, the incident took place at Centennial Park after they were there for a routine workout.
They said when they arrived the park, they went into an area of the park via a gate that was open and other people were present, including two teenagers that were playing soccer and other people running on the track.
They said they discovered the gate was locked when they wanted to leave.
Eva said: “So we decided we were going to jump over to get to the other side.”
Eva did not disclose her last name but she was with her friend, Deborah. She said that was when they were approached by bylaw officer.
She said: “He goes, ‘If this was my home, I would be licensed to … shoot both of you guys right now.’ And when he said that, I couldn’t believe it at first. I was kind of shocked.”
The women said the bylaw officer proceeded by asking for their identification but did not request for the identification of two other people who were in the same situation with them.
Deborah said: “What he did wasn’t right,” said Deborah, who didn’t provide her last name. Mentally, this has put a lot on us.”
A video of the women talking to the bylaw officer has been posted on social media. The other people were asked in the video whether the officer asked for their ID and they said no.
The City of Toronto said in a statement that the incident is under investigation.
The statement said: “The City immediately initiated an investigation, which is being led by the Municipal Licensing & Standards division with help from People & Equity, and the Confronting Anti-Black Racism Unit.”
The Mayor of Toronto, John Tory has reacted to the incident. While reacting on his official Twitter page, Tory said: “No bylaw officer should ever threaten or even suggest violence.
“While we await the results of this investigation, I want to be clear that as Mayor I will not tolerate any City of Toronto employees engaging in behaviour that threatens residents or demonstrates anti-Black racism.”
