EXCLUSIVE: Toronto anti-CCP protestors mark China’s National Day by demanding freedom from communism

The event opened with a round of O Canada. Anthems for the various communities represented were also played, including CCP-banned protest song Glory to Hong Kong. Protestors chanted about and held signs featuring political prisoners and people who died standing up to the CCP. They also blasted China's new "Ethnic Unity" law as being genocidal.

Winnie Ng, co-Chair for the Toronto Association for Democracy in China, said October 1st "Is not a day of celebration. It's actually a day of mourning. For us, it's a day to resist, to organize, and as loud as we can say no to political repression."

Ng continued: "We also need to ask the Hong Kong government, the Beijing-controlled government, why are you so goddamn scared? Why is calling for an end to one-party rule now a crime? Why is remembering the June 4th Tiananmen Square victims a crime? These are so wrong."

Tenzin Kunsang, President of Students for a Free Tibet in Toronto, said "China took over our country in the late 1950s and since then has been putting Tibetan children as young as 4-years-old into Chinese colonial boarding schools, stripping our language away, and our religion, and our culture. And right now, Tibetans are at the brink of extinction. We are here as Tibetans in exile to be the voice for Tibetans in Tibet, and to show the Chinese Communist Party that we will not give up our freedom, and we will continue to fight."

Yana Li from the Democratic Party of China said "We may come from different countries. We may come from different places. We may have different stories. But I think we share the same hope: a future without fear. A future with freedom. A future where every person can sing, can live in freedom. I believe hope is stronger than fear. I believe truth is stronger than lies," she said, before leading the crowd in chanting "For freedom! For human rights! For hope! For a better future!"

Mr. Imam, President of the East Turkistan Association of Canada, said "Today people from different communities have come together with one common message: we believe in freedom, human rights, democracy, and dignity for all."

He also had a message for the Canadian government: "We call on Canada and the international community to continue standing up for human rights, and hold the Chinese government accountable for documented abuses. We also call on Canada to protect Uyghurs, Tibetans, Hong Kong people, and others who face persecution."

Participants from the 7th Peace Rally Marathon for Tibet concluded their run which began in Ottawa. 19-year-old Gyurmey Tsultrim, said "We ran for something much greater than ourselves: we ran for Tibet." He continued: "As a Tibetan, I believe it is our responsibility to preserve our identity, to share our history, and ensure that future generations never forget where we come from."

"Our legs may finally rest now, but our voices must never stop. Let us continue speaking for Tibet, and standing for peace and ensuring that our people's story is never forgotten."