Hundreds gather in Toronto in solidarity with China’s White Paper Revolutionaries

The event drew a diverse crowd which included representatives of the Uyghur, Tibetan, Hong Kong, and Vietnamese communities among others. Songs important to the groups represented were also played, such as 'Glory To Hong Kong.'

The White Paper Revolution, as it is being called due to protestors holding up white pieces of paper that symbolize all that the Chinese people are unable to say, was sparked in response to a building fire in Urumqi which saw multiple burned alive while locked in their homes by the CCP. The building had been sealed shut in accordance with China's strict "zero-Covid" policies.

Organizer Wester Yang said, "I'm still so glad that there's so many people who are so brave to be here to show our solidarity, and people here are so tolerant of each other's opinions." He added, "I think this kind of event is extremely important for all communities to connect with each other, and be together as we are fighting on the same front against the same enemy."

According to Winnie Ng, chairperson for the Toronto Association for Democracy in China, Grange Park was the location of a local protest during the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989 which had thousands in attendance.

Ng highlighted why it’s important to stand with the protestors in China, and commended the young people who are pushing back against the CCP. "It's so encouraging to see a new generation of young, outspoken activists who are taking the torch and moving forward," she said. "You are the leaders we've been waiting for."

Norman, who was representing Canada-Hong Kong Link, said "All over the world and here in Toronto, what I see is a wonderful display of many cultures who have come together for a common purpose, for our common values." He added that he wished Xi Jinping could see them, "because he might realize someday that many cultures makes a country strong."

Rukiye Turdush, a member of the Uyghur community, commended the Chinese people who are standing up to the CCP as well as those showing support for the Uyghur people.

"Today, we can see the Chinese people finally waking up against their government, and showing support for Uyghurs. We appreciate your humanity, and your democratic values."

One Tibetan man who was present showed the crowd injuries he sustained after being shot for opposing the CCP.

Sherap Therchin, executive director of the advocacy group Canada Tibet Committee, said, "Let me begin by congratulating Chinese brothers and sisters who defied all the risks and spoke out against the Xi Jinping regime last weekend."

Therchin went on to describe how China's draconian COVID restrictions are "just symptoms of the real problem," and that it's time for a revolution to solve the problems of so many. "One individual should not decide the future of a billion-plus people."

Earlier in the day, event organizer Yang spoke at a rally organized by former Iranian political prisoner Salman Sima that was jointly in support of the Iranian and Chinese protestors fighting back against their respective authoritarian governments.