Toronto police arrested ten people Saturday afternoon at Christie Pits Park during an anti-immigration rally and a large counter-protest. CBC
Toronto police say ten people were arrested Saturday evening after clashes during an anti-immigration demonstration. Officers reported that one man faced assault charges, while details for the remaining nine arrests were not immediately disclosed.
Protesters Gather at Christie Pits Park
The “Canada First Rally” drew a small group of anti-immigration protesters to Christie Pits Park around noon. A social media post from the organizers called to “Stop mass immigration. Start mass deportations. Remigration is necessary.”
Hundreds of pro-immigration demonstrators also gathered to oppose the event, chanting, “You will never get your way. Immigrants are here to stay.” The two groups clashed shortly after the anti-immigration protesters arrived and met the larger counter-demonstration.
City Officials Speak Out
Ward 11 Councillor Dianne Saxe called the initial protest a “hate demonstration” in a social media post last month. “This rally does not represent what we stand for as a city or as Canadians,” she said.
Saxe highlighted the park’s history as a place of resistance against hate and praised the counter-demonstrators. “The spirit of opposition to nativism, jingoism, and racism remains a vibrant part of our ward,” she added.
Saxe also joined the pro-immigration demonstrators on Saturday, posting, “This is our home, and in Toronto, this is how we stand up for those wishing to spread division and hate.”
Police Monitoring the Event
Toronto police confirmed awareness of the protest and counter-protests in a statement around noon. Officers lined the route as protesters marched from Christie Pits along Bloor Street West, moving through the city’s west end toward downtown.
While the anti-immigration protesters marched, most counter-demonstrators stayed at the park, with only a few following the group along the route. Many carried Canadian flags as they moved through the city, with police blocking certain sections of the road for safety.
Global Context
The demonstration in Toronto occurred the same day as a far-right rally in London, U.K., organized by activist Tommy Robinson, which reportedly drew over 110,000 participants.
Police say they will provide more details on the arrests in an upcoming news release.
