TORONTO, Ontario, October 29, 2018 (LifeSiteNews) – A young pro-abortion activist caught on video physically attacking a group of pro-life protesters at Ryerson University in Toronto has been charged with assault and assault with a weapon.
During an October 1 demonstration outside Ryerson, civil debate between pro-lifers and pro-abortion counter-protestors was interrupted by Ryerson Reproductive Justice Collective (RRJC) member Gabby Skwarko.
As seen in video released by Toronto Against Abortion (TAA), Skwarko approached TAA founder Blaise Alleyne and member Katie Somers from behind, then kicked and pushed Alleyne, swung and threw a metal dolly cart, repeatedly pushed Somers, and tried to tear a backpack from her back. She also took an object from the backpack and threw it on the ground.
Somers reportedly suffered injuries including bruises to her leg, TAA added. Two weeks later, Toronto police named Skwarko a “person of interest” in the case. Alleyne said the university had applied “interim measures” to Skwarko, who is also an assistant at the university's office of social innovation, making the violent pro-abortion activist stay 100 meters away from her.
Almost a month later, Skwarko will face charges, Global News reports. She turned herself in on Friday evening.
RRJC co-founder Olson Crow declined to comment to the outlet, while a university spokesperson said only that this “is now a Toronto Police Service matter; the university is co-operating with the TPS.” The representative declined to comment on whether Ryerson still employs Skwarko or whether she will face any academic penalties for her actions.
“I’m obviously very happy that the Toronto police are taking this seriously,” Somers told Global News. “It benefits everybody if they send a strong message that violent reactions to civil discourse will not be tolerated.”
Following the attack, TAA released a video detailing what it alleged was a “history of thefts, assaults, and harassment” it has experienced at the hands of RRJC members. They claim that other than Skwarko, none of the perpetrators have ever faced charges.
“The RRJC resorts to violence out of desperation because they are not content with civil discourse and they have been unsuccessful in trying to censor us or prevent us from sharing our message,” Alleyne said.
The attack came shortly after Toronto hair stylist Jordan Hunt “roundhouse-kicked” Campaign Life Coalition youth coordinator Marie-Claire Bissonnette at a pro-life rally, for which he was fired and has been charged with multiple counts of assault and mischief.
Skwarko is currently out of police custody, and has agreed to appear in court on December 13.