The latest in a series of ongoing anti-vax protests is once again putting an unfortunate spotlight on Toronto's University Avenue, as demonstrators voice opposition to the province's vaccine passport mandate outside of local hospitals.

Protesters demonstrating outside of Toronto General Hospital on Monday afternoon. Photo by Briana-Lynn Brieiro.

Scenes from Hospital Row show a tense atmosphere, with rows of police guarding hospital access points facing off against loud protesters, supposedly on hand in a show of support to nurses other healthcare workers.

An anti-vaccination protest is currently taking place on Hospital Row this Monday afternoon https://t.co/t2tnV3xDRY - 📹 @brianabrieiro #Toronto #TorontoProtest pic.twitter.com/Lp4s1mMo2z

— blogTO (@blogTO) September 13, 2021

This "support" contrasts sharply against statements from healthcare professionals and hospitals condemning the protests. Among the most recent groups to speak out, the University Health Network (UHN) — which operate sites along Hospital Row — have called the protests "very concerning and disheartening."

The planned protests taking place outside of hospitals today, including UHN's Toronto General Hospital, are very concerning and disheartening.

🧵1/4

— University Health Network (@UHN) September 13, 2021

UHN's Twitter thread on the issue goes on to say that "demonstrations outside of hospitals not only put healthcare workers and staff at risk, but also patients who come to the hospital for care."

Some of the most intense scenes unfolded just outside Toronto General Hospital, where the anti-vaxxer demonstrations were met with a loosely organized counter-protest.

Counter-protesters outside of Toronto General Hospital on Monday afternoon. Photo by Briana-Lynn Brieiro.

One counter-protester's hilarious sign has been making the rounds on Twitter since this afternoon.

David Renzetti is a counter protester, who tells me he felt compelled to attend after the anti-vaccine/mandate protesters began targeting hospitals. pic.twitter.com/sXyqeTk1yX

— Jenna Moon (@_jennamoon) September 13, 2021

Many passing motorists also showed their anger towards protesters, shouting names and giving crowds the finger as they rolled past.

Anger is in the air as anti-vax protesters engage in verbal confrontations on Hospital Row - 📹 @brianabrieiro #Toronto #TorontoProtest pic.twitter.com/pv0xr4Iviv

— blogTO (@blogTO) September 13, 2021

Social distancing was not observed by some in the crowd, with a lot of unmasked hugging spotted. The woman hugging protesters in the video below has been identified by another outlet as Sarah Choujounian, a co-founder with protest-organizer Canadian Frontline Nurses.

Anti-vax protesters on Hospital Row are not social distancing at all, lots of hugging spotted - 📹 @brianabrieiro #Toronto #TorontoProtest pic.twitter.com/L2BL1eRLh5

— blogTO (@blogTO) September 13, 2021

Canadian Frontline Nurses claims to act in the interest of healthcare workers with a goal to "restore [their] freedoms and rights as Canadian citizens."

Police were spotted managing crowds, approaching closer when arguments got too heated and asking people to step back and clear pathways when necessary.

DEMONSTRATION:
Hospital Row
-Demonstrators have gathered outside hospital
-Officers are o/s to ensure public safety
-No reports of hospital staff or patients being obstructed
-Officers remain and continue to remind crowd of expected behaviour
- cont'd (1/2)#GO1753176
^al

— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) September 13, 2021

Police were also active in leading people who needed to get in and out of the hospital safely through the crowds.

Protesters demonstrating outside of Toronto General Hospital on Monday afternoon. Photo by Briana-Lynn Brieiro.

The same group responsible for some of today's hospital demonstrations held another protest earlier in the day, a "silent vigil" against the province's vaccine mandate outside of Queen's Park.

A look behind the silent protest against vaccine mandates at Queen’s Park.

Although the group identifies itself as “frontline workers” & “first responders,” at least a few individuals in the crowd have been identified as working in other sectors altogether.#cdnpoli #Elxn44 pic.twitter.com/VpQNvN1zA9

— Caryma Sa'd - Cartoon Creator (@CarymaRules) September 13, 2021

Unlike the mostly silent Queen's Park vigil, the University Avenue protest was decidedly loud. All the while, hospitals lining the street had to contend with this noise as doctors and nurses tried to care for patients, and patients tried to rest and recover.