Canada: Rally to be staged in Toronto July 6

Event

A rally is scheduled to be held in Toronto's Dovercourt Park on Monday, July 6. Participants will reportedly gather at 19:00 until 21:00 (local time) to demand that the government defund the police following recent Black Lives Matter (BLM) demonstrations. Hundreds have confirmed their attendance of the rally on the social media event page.

Reports also indicate that there is the potential for unrest and a heightened security presence at Nathan Phillips Square in downtown Toronto on Monday. Police are due to clear out protesters who have been encamped there since June 19, also in relation to the BLM movement. Protesters may be fined if they do not leave the park.

A heightened security presence, along with localized travel disruptions are possible in the vicinity of all protest sites. 

Context

Anti-racism protests were sparked throughout the world by the death of George Floyd in May, a black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck during an arrest. In Toronto, the death of Regis Korchinski-Paquet has also led to calls for change. The 29-year-old black woman died on May 27 after falling from her balcony during an interaction with police after a call for mental health assistance.

Advice

Individuals in Toronto are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all demonstrations and gatherings as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.