The Saint John’s International Culturefest, intended as a celebration of multiculturalism, faced turmoil on August 2. Demonstrators gathered around an Israel booth, leading to what some members of the Jewish community described as threatening behavior. This culminated in an alleged assault and resulted in two arrests.

No official statements have been released by the festival's organizing committee or local police. The incident has received limited coverage from local media. Lorie Cohen Hackett, president of the Saint John Jewish Historical Museum, expressed concerns in an email to museum members. She stated that the demonstration felt threatening to those volunteering at the Israel booth. Cohen emphasized that both the Shaarei Zedek synagogue and the museum “hope for a peaceful and satisfactory resolution.”

Bruce Washburn, president of Shaarei Zedek synagogue, detailed events leading up to the altercation in a message to his congregation. He reported that on the evening of August 1, the Israeli flag at the festival was spray-painted, necessitating a replacement from the synagogue the following morning.

On August 2, during the festival, Washburn described the scene as “an annual celebration of international cultures.” He reported that anti-Israel protesters, some wearing face coverings, “invaded the Israeli space and shot at those attending the booth with water guns filled with red water.” When volunteers attempted to defend their area, one was physically assaulted, resulting in broken glasses.

Washburn noted that the “guarantees of security for the event from the Culturefest Committee were not fulfilled,” and there was no visible police presence during the incident. The situation concluded with the arrest of two protesters, following the assault.

The Board of the Congregation is seeking legal advice and is committed to restoring safety for the Jewish and Israeli community in Saint John and surrounding areas.

Mohamed Bagha, Managing Director of the Saint John Newcomer’s Centre, which oversees the festival, declined to comment on the incident.

Sgt. Shawna Fowler of the Saint John police department reported that police responded around 2:30 p.m. to a call about protesters heading to the festival. The caller described them as “Palestinian demonstrators.” Fowler noted that attendees reported protesters wearing red bags over their heads and one individual in a military uniform carrying what was later identified as a water gun filled with red liquid.

When police arrived, festival organizers informed them of the incident at the Israel booth, where a woman had been assaulted. Fowler stated, “A female along with witnesses alleged that she was assaulted by a masked protester.” A youth was arrested for the assault, and an unrelated adult male was arrested for obstruction. Both individuals have been released, with the adult scheduled to appear in court on November 4.

Fowler indicated that police are considering additional charges related to hate crimes as the investigation continues. Videos of the protests have circulated on social media, capturing the events as they unfolded.