Londoners gather at London Courthouse in support of local activist

Yesterday morning, a crowd of Londoners gathered to support longtime activist David Heap at his court hearing. Heap faces charges related to protesting the ‘Best Defence’ weapons manufacturing conference held in London in October 2025.

Heap, an associate professor at Western University, was charged with one count of obstructing a peace officer after the London Police Service (LPS) Street Crime Unit executed search warrants at his home on November 25. In their press release, the LPS announced that a variety of items had been seized, including computers, cell phones, radios and protest placards during their pre-dawn searches at activists’ homes across Southern Ontario allegedly connected to the protest.

But the activists also had additional items seized under section 489 of the Criminal Code. Clothing items such as keffiyehs, hats and a t-shirt expressing support for Palestinian human rights, as well as decorative items such as a seasonal wreath, pins, and fridge magnets that said “free Palestine” were taken. 

Section 489 of the Criminal Code allows police officers to seize additional items during a warranted search, only if they have reasonable grounds to believe that the items in question have been obtained through, used in, or provide evidence of an offence under some Canadian law. 

“I have to ask what crime is alleged to have been committed here. Is it against the law for me to have a fridge magnet in my home that says ‘free Palestine’?” said Council of Canadians London chapter co-chair Norah Fraser in a statement to Antler River Media. “Apparently London Police think that being pro-Palestine is against the law. They think that possession of Pro-Palestine fridge magnets may be a criminal offence. This should worry not only activists but everyone who cares about human rights.”

The protesters outside the court echo the concerns for further repression of pro-Palestinian activism. “We’re seeing at the federal level with Bill C-9 this [repression] relies on very flexible definitions of what could constitute hate,” said Cailin Gallinger, a community member and friend of Heap. “Legal action taken against people for speaking up for what they believe in is a huge threat to free speech and to being able to demonstrate for what we believe in.”

Although the federal Bill C-9 is yet to be passed, Fraser says the legislation raises serious concerns about the unjust application of loose legal definitions, arguing that the question of what makes the seized items law-breaking is an important one due to how these can criminalize activists. “They are portraying these good, kind, non-violent people as criminals,” she said. “People showed up to support David outside the courthouse yesterday because they know that he is a good, kind, peaceful person who opposes violence and hatred.”

According to Fraser, Heap’s next court date is February 24. She encourages activists and community members to support the legal fund organized by Showing Up for Racial Justice Toronto for the six protesters facing charges.