Canada: Toronto police arrest 10 at Christie Pits during anti-immigration rally, counter-protest

Tension at Toronto Park: Anti-Immigration Rally Sparks Arrests and Counter-Protests

Toronto police arrested 10 people on Saturday afternoon during a heated clash at Christie Pits Park. The arrests happened amid an anti-immigration rally and a massive counter-demonstration, as CBC News reports. One man got nabbed around 12:40 pm local time near Bloor Street West and Christie Street for assault, and police later confirmed nine more arrests tied to the events.

The rally, dubbed the Canada First Patriot Rally, aimed to fight what organizers call "mass immigration." In an Instagram post, the group said they were standing up for Canadian values and putting citizens first over newcomers. Rally organizer Joe Anidjar told Radio-Canada it’s all about prioritizing Canadians and the country. He argued that high immigration levels are straining national resources like housing and services, according to CBC News.

But the anti-immigration message didn’t go unchallenged. Hundreds of supporters showed up at the same park to back immigrants and marginalized communities. On the Ontario Federation of Labour’s Facebook page, organizers highlighted Christie Pits Park’s history as a hub for anti-fascist actions. They stressed its importance to migrants, Indigenous people, LGBTQ+ groups, violence survivors, the unhoused, artists, and students.

Deena Ladd, executive director of the Workers Action Centre, slammed the rally’s stance. She told CBC that immigrants get unfairly blamed for big economic problems like housing shortages, food insecurity, and limited healthcare. "I really want them to know they shouldn’t blame immigrants for these issues," Ladd said. "They’re pointing fingers at our communities for unaffordable housing, empty food banks, and poor health services. That’s not immigrants’ fault."

Police had to shut down parts of Bloor Street West near Christie Street temporarily to manage the crowds. Traffic also backed up near Bay, Yonge, and Wellesley streets. Everything’s back to normal now, with crowds heading to Sankofa Square.

This comes days after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called for urgent fixes to the immigration system. He described current levels as unsustainable and pushed for a smarter, more focused approach. "It’s clear we must improve our overall immigration policies," Carney said, per CBC News.

The Toronto rally highlights growing debates on immigration in Canada, from resource strains to community support. As discussions heat up, many wonder how the country will balance welcoming newcomers with protecting local needs.

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