Unity rally to end white supremacy in Toronto

By: Chelsea Girard

Following the aftermath of violent protests in Charlottesville, Va. an activist group in Toronto will gather together to rally against white supremacy.

Activists are gathering in Toronto from across the province, including Windsor, to rally against white supremacists on Sunday, Oct. 15 at Queen’s Park.

Braden Butcher from Windsor, believes showing hate creates more hate, but if they are strong and show love then others will follow.

“Nationalism is something that was left behind in the 40s and I’m not gonna let it happen here,” said Butcher. “Something like this should not be counteracted with violence, it just sinks you down into their level. Fighting them will only make this worse.”

At the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Va. 35 people were injured, 19 were sent to hospital and one person died.

In the wake of the Unite the Right rally, a nationalist rally was organized to take place in Toronto. In response to the nationalist rally, a crowd of anti-racist and anti-fascist protesters have developed a counter-rally for the Toronto community called The Unity Rally To End White Supremacy in Toronto.

Shannon McDeez, event coordinator, said after she saw a rally fall through, she needed to take action with the other Torontonians who would not stand for white supremacy.

McDeez said the aim for this rally is to counteract against white supremacy while prioritizing inclusivity and diversity.

Jordan Tilokee, an attendee against white supremacy from Toronto, said he is participating because he shares the same desire for the end goal of what the rally stands for – social consciousness, nonviolence and progress.

“My advice is to know the risks and be careful in how you protest,” said Tilokee. “I feel violence has been done before as a response and though it may seem justifiable, it hasn’t worked in the past.”

The rally date was originally Sept. 14 to counter the original nationalist protest, but after the counter-protest gained so much ground, the initial nationalist protest was cancelled.

The group intended to follow through with a celebration protest but instead changed the date in order to avoid conflict with a major Jewish Shabbat holiday as this rally is centered around welcoming all communities to join in solidarity against white supremacy.

“I’ve learned that these things can also be experienced powerfully through being connected with the collective by showing up at rallies that I support,” said Jose Cacho, attendee of the rally from Toronto. Cacho relates the rally to a Christian Sunday as a day for prayer, contemplation, gratitude and community.“Prayer for all those marginalized, contemplation to enter into dialogue, gratitude to the Indigenous community who gave us so much and to feel community as a whole in the face of those who would silence us.”

According to a 2016 Statistics Canada, people under the age of 18 are the largest group of people who commit hate crimes motivated by religion, race and sexual orientation.

The Unity Rally to Silence White Supremacy in Toronto will be expecting upwards of 10,000 people to attend and are planning to accommodate attendees with access to safety and self care resources.