More anti-racism protests planned in Toronto this weekend
Rumblings of large political demonstrations and protests against anti-Black racism in Toronto have prompted several high-profile retailers toboard up their storefronts recentlyfor fear of being looted.
One such rally,rumouredto be takingplace Monday night in Nathan Phillips Square, never happened. Stores nonethelessremain boarded updowntown and citizens are asking why.
Aremore protestsscheduled in honour ofRegis Korchinski Paquet, a 29-year-old woman who died during an interaction with Toronto Police last week? Where and when will these rallies take place? Who is organizing them and how can the public participate?
The answers to some of these questions remain unclear, but suffice to say more than one demonstration will be happening in Toronto this weekend.
Both Toronto Police and Mayor John Tory have confirmed that they are aware of "social media postings" promoting protest events in Toronto on Saturday and that they've recieved unspecified threats from people who want to "wreak havoc downtown."
Tory called those posting such threats a "tiny little minority of people who sit in their basements in the dark," but stores are nonetheless battening down in caseriots break out in Toronto like those still raging across the U.S.over the brutal police killing of 46-year-old George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Up to 4,000 people are estimated to haveattended a peaceful protest in Toronto on Saturdayto call for justice in the cases of Floyd, Korchinski-Paquet and thousands of other Black lives lost to police violence in recent decades.
Not a single arrest was made during the protest and no stores were looted. Toronto kept it classy and there's no (public) reason to expect that things will get nasty at protests on Friday and Saturday.
Many are asking when Toronto will have another protest a friend of mine posted this. Friday June 5th 2020 at 6pm
— Pinky (@babyg1rlsmiles)June 3, 2020
Location: Nathan Philip Square#torontoprotest#BlackLivesMattterpic.twitter.com/9RK7sPIaZL
CP24 reports that Black Lives Matter is organizing a demonstration that will begin at 2 p.m in Trinity Bellwoods Park on Saturday and finish outside Queen's Park.
Black Lives Matter Toronto has yet to respond to a request for comment, buta posterdescribes the event as a "peaceful protest against the deaths of unarmed Black people at the hands of police officers and the racism they continuously face."
Another event scheduled for Saturday, June 6, is billed as"a peaceful walk for Black lives lost to police brutality and racism." The solidarity walk is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. in Nathan Phillips Square.
UPDATE: BLM has stated that it is not organizing any events for this weekend. Attendees are建议不参加Nathan菲利普斯的事件Square on Saturdayover concerns of rioting, and to proceed with caution if attending the event in Trinity Bellwoods Park.
Protest information for Toronto happening this upcoming friday, June 5th:
— nksiazek (@NicoleKsiazek)June 4, 2020
Share and RT to get the word out faster for any people who would want to join.#toronto#BlackLivesMatter#blacklifematters#protestpic.twitter.com/fkKlMlSbE6
Posters for a "student solidarity event" outside Toronto City Hall at 2 p.m. on Saturday are also circulating.
"This is a peaceful demonstration to our government that we demand the U.S. government be held accountable for their brutalizations of our neighbours, and to recognize the injustices of our own country," reads the description of that event.
"All in attendance must comply to social distancing orders."
A number of protest events are also planned for Friday, June 5, including一个和平的“我不能沥青the Toronto" marchbeginning at Bloor-Yonge Subway station at 12:30 p.m.
IF UR IN TORONTO please try to come to the protest on Friday June 5th at 12/12:30, meet at Bloor&Yonge Station!
— jaiv (@chilicalamari)June 4, 2020
Bring your masks, water and some snacks if you get hungry. It's a peaceful protest so don't pull any stunts
Hit up @/jubediyah on IG for more detailspic.twitter.com/QXz0uabyxk
"This Friday we walk in peace for Justice,"writes an organizer for the latter event. "Unity is gorgeous but I need justice first. Do not come with your own personal agenda, ego, or misconduct."
The event is described as a "peaceful protests/walk" and "safe social rally." Attendees are asked to respect COVID-19 emergency orders, wear masks and bring horns or signs to share their messages.
Rallies are also planned in bothNathan Phillips SquareandYonge-Dundas Squareon Friday at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., respectively.
While the legitimacy of any protests has yet to be confirmed, we can say with certainty that the group behind last Saturday's peaceful protest, Not Another Black Life, isrefraining from hosting another eventout of respect for social distancing orders mandated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hector Vasquez
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