Toronto Police Arrest 10 People During Competing Rallies on Immigration

Police arrested 10 people at Toronto’s Christie Pits Park on Sept. 13 as a large rally against mass immigration and counter protests were held.

After weeks of promoting the event, billed as the “Canada First Patriot Rally,” a gathering of protesters arrived around noon on Saturday carrying or wearing Canadian flags and calling for an end to mass immigration in Canada.

Meanwhile, counter protesters came to the park, in the Bloor Street West and Christie Street area, by the hundreds to oppose the rally.

Toronto Police posted on X that day just before 1 p.m. saying that a male was arrested for assault. Officers later confirmed to The Epoch Times in an email that 10 people in total were arrested.

In one video captured by journalist Caryma Sa’d, a counter-protester can be seen being arrested at the scene for taking a Canadian flag from one of the “Canada First Patriot Rally” organizers.

The rally participants marched from Christie Pits Park along Bloor Street West and into downtown.

“This is the time for true Canadian patriots to stand together. Our country is changing fast and not for the better,” Joe Anidjar, organizer of the Canada First Patriot Rally, said in a post on Facebook. “If we don’t fight for what we have, we will lose it.”

The event was advertised with a poster that read: “Stop mass immigration. Start mass deportations. Remigration is necessary.”

City Councillor Diane Saxe, who attended the event and was among the counter-protesters, said in an Aug. 26 press release that she was “appalled at the absurdity of these individuals” who were protesting mass immigration in Christie Pits Park.

“This rally does not represent what we stand for as a city or as Canadians,” she said. “Rather, it’s reflective of an effort by its organizers to seek and gain undeserved notoriety through intimidation, puffery, and stoking division rooted in the belief that immigrants somehow struggle less, work less, or contribute less to our country.”

The day before event, Toronto Police said in a statement on social media that they were aware of the planned rally and counter-rallies at Christie Pitts Park and that they would be present to “to monitor and ensure public safety.”

“Our top priority is the safety and security of everyone,” the police service said. “Police will take appropriate action against any concerns or criminal behavior that may arise.”

The rally at Christie Pits Park occurred on the same day as a rally in London, UK, led by nationalist activist Tommy Robinson. That London event saw a large crowd of protesters calling for free speech while decrying mass migration.