Violence breaks out as protesters clash in Nathan Phillips Square

Protesters with clashing ideals faced off in front of City Hall on Saturday afternoon, with what began as a peaceful anti-racism demonstration escalatingto violence.

The rally started with dozens of anti-racism demonstrators standing in Toronto's Nathan Phillips Square, holding signs featuring phrases like, "Fear is the prison, love is the door," as part ofa planned protest about sensitivity towards Muslims.

"In the last about monthand a half, there has been a really alarming rise of alt-right groups, like the Soldiers of Odin and the Jewish Defense League, and others having a really visiblepresenceat Toronto City Hall," protesterSarah Ali, from the Organizing CommitteeAgainstIslamophobia, told CBC Toronto after the rally.

Ali called it "frightening," noting a rise in attacks on Muslim communities in recent years.

"We are not going to tolerateIslamophobia, we're not going to tolerate white supremacy, and we're not going to toleratefascismon the streets of Toronto," she said.

Roughly 40 police on scene

Around a dozen counter-protesters at the scene were clad in clothing emblazoned with Soldiers of Odin,theinternational anti-immigrant street patrol group that began in Finland, and carried signs reading "JustinTrudeaumust go."

At one point, some people began chanting, "Nazi scum off our streets."

Fighting began among those gathered and one of theSoldiers ofOdin protestors was punched in the face.

Around 40 police were on scene and, atone point, used their bicycles to separate the groups.

At least five peopleat the scene were apprehended by police but it's not clear how many were arrested or released.

Toronto police have notconfirmed how many people may have been arrested or charged despite repeated requests for comment from CBC Toronto.