What to know
- Members of Toronto’s Iranian community will gather Sunday, Feb. 1, at Sankofa Square at 1 p.m. to show support for ongoing anti-government protests in Iran.
- The rally follows weeks of demonstrations across the GTA as Iranian-Canadians seek to raise awareness about internet blackouts, alleged mass casualties and the violent crackdown on protesters in Iran.
- Organizers are calling on Canadian media and government officials to amplify the voices of Iranians who are unable to speak out amid escalating repression.
Members of Toronto’s Iranian community are set to gather this weekend in support of anti-government protests in Iran.
On Sunday, Feb. 1, a demonstration will be held at Sankofa Square at 1 p.m.
The protest is the latest of several rallies throughout the Greater Toronto Area in recent weeks, as demonstrators are attempting to bring awareness to the uprising in Iran.
Since late December, Iranians opposing the country’s oppressive Islamic regime began protesting. The unrest has intensified as the country’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei began imposing internet and telecom blackouts.
Iranians in Toronto have taken to the streets to bring attention to Canadians on the crisis.
“We need Canadians to hear what is happening. In just the past two days, reports indicate more than 35,000 innocent lives have been lost,” Sunday rally volunteer Mohammad Saroush said to Now Toronto on Wednesday.
Saroush says that protesters in Iran are being persecuted as they fight for basic living conditions, and there are some worried Iranian-Canadians who have yet to hear from family members in several days.
“We are calling Canadian public media and the government to hear these voices and stand in support of Iranians. Silence allows these crimes to continue. International pressure matters. We want to ensure helping to amplify voices who cannot speak,” he said.
More information on Sunday’s protest can be found on its website.
