Protest in Toronto demands an end to COVID-inspired restrictions

On Saturday, 3,000 protestors gathered at Younge-Dundas Square and marched through downtown Toronto demanding and end to COVID-19 restrictions, mandatory masks, and calling for the government to open the economy back up so that people can work instead of have to rely on government handouts.

An offshoot of the ongoing protests aimed at ending the COVID-19 shutdown which have been held in Queen’s Park last April, the “March for Freedom” organized by The Line Canada, was about “defending civil liberties and rights, and to stand against government oppression and tyranny.” One attendee said “Canada is a democratic state, and it’s not behaving like one.”

Although diverse in their reasons for attending, many protestors expressed concern for the ongoing economic state of the country as it has been revealed 60 percent of businesses that have closed due to the pandemic won’t reopen.

George, from The Line, said “When referring to a state of emergency, the state of emergency we are actually in deals primarily with our economic, employment, and current social positions. The country is $380 billion in debt under Trudeau’s leadership. Obviously the decision-making process needs serious revision in response to the ‘plandemic’”

Earlier this week, Toronto mayor John Tory announced that a number of major events such as New Year’s Eve have been canceled through the rest of the year. Premier Doug Ford recently said the idea of Halloween makes him “nervous.”

When asked about the ongoing cancellations of important holidays and other events, organizer Lamont Daigle had the following to say about Doug Ford in particular: “we are not concerned about Doug Ford’s latest comments. We will create events that are directly in opposition to any of their mandates and directives because their impositions are unfounded and illegal.”

Two children in Halloween costumes they made themselves holding a sign that urged Doug Ford to “Keep Halloween Open” said “we’ll be outside, and we’ll be wearing a mask!”

At one point, demonstrators took the opportunity to condemn pedophiles, a subject which has been increasingly discussed following the Netflix release of Cuties, a film widely believed to endorse pedophilia. Many believe mainstream media has been complicit in crimes against children.

On their march through the downtown core, protesters detoured to police headquarters to show respect for police officers, at one point saying “we’re protecting them as much as they are protecting us.”

As a closing statement, Daigle has this to say about Doug Ford’s leadership: “He seems focused on how food plays a part of his life more than the people he is sworn to protect.”