Second Toronto Armenian Demonstration in One Week

Arus Karapetyan

TORONTO, Oct. 9–For the second time this week, the Toronto Armenian community demonstrated against the Turkish and Azeri attacks on Artsakh and Armenia. Some 2,500 people began the demonstration across from the offices of Deputy-PM Chrystia Freeland near the Spadina Ave. and Bloor St. intersection.

Carrying placards denouncing the barbaric Turkish and Azeri attacks on civilians in Artsakh and in Armenia, the demonstrators marched down Spadina Ave. to the Turkish Consulate on Front St., nearly two kilometers away. They carried the flags of Artsakh, Armenia, and Canada. Many wore COVID-19 masks imprinted with the legend “ArtsakhStrong”.  They chanted patriotic songs and demanded an immediate ceasefire.

MPP Aris Babikian, film director Atom Egoyan,  community leaders, and several members of the clergy addressed the crowd which was made up mostly by young people. The demonstration lasted close to four hours. There were no counter-demonstrators.

“The protests went great, I was so proud of our youth and the powerful speeches condemning Turkish aggression against Armenians,” said an elderly demonstrator. Similar words were expressed by other veterans of the community.