5th person arrested for Pride festival violence

Police have arrested a fifth person in connection with the violence at the Hamilton Pride a 33-year-old man who has been charged with assault.

A spokesperson for the service did not say whether the man was someone celebrating Pride, protesting the event or a counter-protester.

The man is facing a level one assault charge, said police. He's scheduled to appear in court on July 29.

The charge was laid after a victim came forward andreported the incident, according to police, who have issued multiple requests for witnesses and those who were injured to contact them so they can possibly lay more charges.

Police repeated that call Friday and thanked everyone who has come forward to share information.

Among those arrested so far are Christopher Vanderweide, who's charged with two counts of assault with a weapon. He was there as part of the anti-Pride group.

The Kitchener man, also known online as "helmet guy" appeared in court Thursday and is scheduled to return on July 4.

Cedar Hopperton,who was on parole after a conviction last year for the anarchistvandalism spree on Locke Street, was charged by police with a parole violation connected to the June 15 Pride event. Hopperton wastaken into custody during a peaceful anti-hate rally at city hall the following week.

The 33-year-old is currently being held at the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre.

Two other people have alsoturned themselves in for breaching probation and participating in a demonstration that wasn't peaceful, according to police.

The Tower, an anarchist social space, has said on Facebook that those arrestedwereassociated with the pink-mask counter-protesters.

Investigators are continuing to probe theclash at Pride and are asking anyone with information to contact them by calling 905-546-2929.