A massive group of protesters blocked off a section of downtown Toronto on Sunday to show support for demonstrators in Iran who are opposing the nation’s economic crisis and the ruling regime responsible for it.
The protests in Iran began on December 28 due to escalating prices, evolving into broader anti-government demonstrations against the clerical leaders governing the country for almost five decades. Concurrently, tens of thousands of pro-government supporters took to the streets to display strength in response to the challenges posed by protesters to the country’s theocratic system.
Pooria Shafia, an Iranian-Canadian protester at the event, expressed worry about his relatives in Iran, sharing his apprehension about reaching out to them for fear of distressing news. He emphasized the emotional turmoil of wanting updates on loved ones while fearing the worst.
The Toronto demonstration, which moved from Sankofa Square to Queen’s Park, advocated for democratic elections in Iran. Toronto police estimated that “well over 100,000 demonstrators” participated in the protest. The police also highlighted potential traffic disruptions and road closures during the rally.
Participants also called for action from the Canadian government, including implementing measures to weaken the regime, expelling Islamic Republic officials from Canada, and preventing negotiations between the theocracy and UN members.
The death toll from the government crackdown remains uncertain, with conflicting reports. Global Affairs Canada refrained from commenting on potential actions against Iran but condemned the killing of protesters and praised the bravery of the Iranian people.
The European Union recently designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization, a move Canada had made in June 2024.
According to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, over 49,500 individuals have been detained, with a reported death toll of at least 6,713, predominantly demonstrators. The information is challenging to verify independently due to Iran cutting off internet access.
The diaspora, including Morvarid Sadinejad, an engineer in Toronto and a participant in the protest, emphasized the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis in Iran. She urged non-Iranian Canadians to join the protests and speak out against the atrocities, emphasizing a focus on humanity over ideology.
Shafia echoed the sentiment, calling for unity across backgrounds and religions to amplify the voices of the oppressed. He expressed frustration over the silence from those usually vocal about human rights violations worldwide and highlighted the struggle of balancing daily life in Canada with the distressing situation in Iran.