"This framing is deeply harmful. It implicitly casts Palestinian protests as threats to public order, reinforcing stereotypes that depict Palestinians and their allies as disruptive, extremist, or violent. Such narratives contribute directly to anti-Palestinian racism by portraying advocacy for Palestinian rights as inherently problematic or unsafe."
June 27, 2025
To the CP24 Toronto Newsroom,
I am writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (www.cjpme.org) regarding your broadcast that aired at 5:59 a.m. this morning.
The script stated: “Last year's Pride parade was disrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters. Police are asking that anyone protesting do so in a way that doesn't jeopardize the safety or enjoyment of others.”
This framing is deeply harmful. It implicitly casts Palestinian protests as threats to public order, reinforcing stereotypes that depict Palestinians and their allies as disruptive, extremist, or violent. Such narratives contribute directly to anti-Palestinian racism by portraying advocacy for Palestinian rights as inherently problematic or unsafe.
Moreover, absent from the report was the critical context about why pro-Palestinian activists engaged with Pride parades last year. Their protest was a response to pinkwashing by Israel and an effort to pressure Pride organizations to divest from Israeli companies complicit in genocide against Palestinians—the gravest crime under international law. Without this context, the report reduces the protest to a mere act of disruption, undermining the principles of fair and accurate journalism and discrediting a Palestinian movement that is overwhelmingly peaceful.
We urge CP24 to include this essential context in future coverage to ensure balanced, fair, and responsible reporting.
Thank you for considering this feedback.
Lynn Naji
Media Analyst
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East