London doctor and humanitarian returns to protests after arrest

Charged with vandalizing an MP’s office, a London doctor who spent a night in jail in the fallout this week was back at a vigil outside the office Friday.

The riding office of Liberal MP Peter Fragiskatos has become a focal point for vigils and protests by pro-Palestinian supporters, including Tarek Loubani, who have been pressing the London North Centre legislator to break ranks with his government and call for a Gaza ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

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Another such vigil was held outside the MP’s office Friday, attracting as many as 30 people at its height. Many brought signs, banners and candles.

Loubani, who took in the event, has vowed he won’t be silenced and that his brush with the law won’t stop him from protesting.

“I still demand Peter (Fragiskatos) signs the call for ceasefire,” he said, “I still demand he listens to his constituents . . .”

Jess Notwell reads names of children who have died in Gaza since the start of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7 at a vigil at the constituency office of London MP Peter Fragiskatos on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023. (Beatriz Baleerio/The London Free Press)

Loubani was arrested and charged Wednesday with mischief in an alleged vandalism attack Oct. 22 on the MP’s riding office, where ketchup was sprayed on the front door and windows of the building at 231 Hyman St.

Detained overnight, Loubani – speaking publicly for the first time since – said he would not accept police conditions for his release that would have prevented him from protesting at the MP’s office and instead spent the night in detention until a court appearance Thursday when he was released without condition.

Loubani had taken part in a protest outside the MP’s office before his arrest Wednesday, and said he went to another the next day after his court appearance.

Police have said they identified four suspects in the Oct. 22 incident, three of whom entered a diversion program in which no criminal charge is laid for a minor offence on the condition the person takes part in a rehabilitative program.

The department maintains it supports freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, but law-breaking “in the name of any cause will not be tolerated” and charges, “where appropriate,” will be laid.