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The Justice for Abdirahman Coalition issued a statement Wednesday morning saying that it “strongly denounces” all racist and anti-Semitic acts and “stands firmly against such hateful ideologies.”

“The coalition was shocked to hear reports of alleged intimidation of Constable Daniel Montsion and defence counsels Solomon Friedman and Michael Edelson,” the group tweeted.

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The acts allegedly occurred Tuesday during Montsion’s trial on charges including manslaughter in the 2016 death of Abdirahman Abdi.

“The coalition has encouraged, and continues to encourage, members of the public to attend the trial in a peaceful and respectful manner, and in so doing so, has reminded people that aggressive or disrespectful behaviour will not be tolerated,” according to the statement.

It called on “Ottawans of all backgrounds” to join their “quest for full justice in the wrongful death” during a Hintonburg arrest.

On Tuesday, the trial heard that additional security measures would be taken after Montsion’s defence team reported they were the target of intimidation attempts and anti-Semitic slurs within the courthouse.

Friedman said he and Edelson “refuse to be intimidated” in the face of the verbal assault from two men who Friedman said were waiting on the courthouse main floor as they and Montsion returned from Tuesday’s lunch recess.

“Hey murderer!” one of the men yelled at Montsion while directing insults toward the defence lawyers, Friedman told Judge Robert Kelly.

“You’re a piece of s— and so are those dirty f—ing Jew lawyers,” one man shouted as he left the building, according to Friedman, his voice rising. “F— you! You killed a mentally ill man.”

A police sergeant accompanying Montsion alerted a court constable, who asked the “agitated” men to leave or face arrest.

On Wednesday, the coalition said that it had learned that people attending the trial would be subject to new security measures including bag searches, and would need to present valid ID and indicate whether they were members of the media or observers.

“We continue to welcome members of the public to attend trial proceedings in courtroom 34 at 161 Elgin St.,” the group tweeted.

“Please be advised of some new security procedures. 1. Bag search 2. Present valid ID and address 3. Reason for attendance (media or observer)”

-with files from Aedan Helmer