Protesters gather in Toronto for another anti-Black racism demonstration

Protesters made their way to downtown Toronto Saturday for a demonstration calling for an end to police brutality and anti-Black racism.

This protest follows last weekend’s march calling for justice in the deaths of Regis Korchinski-Paquet and George Floyd.

Hundreds of protesters at Queen’s Park started the day by taking a knee and raising their fists in solidarity to honour Black lives lost.

Thousands take a knee in Queens Park #BlackLivesMattertoronto #TorontoProtest pic.twitter.com/ldeFGPH0Hc

— Lyndal Moody (@Lyndal_M) June 6, 2020

From there, they walked to Nathan Phillips Square calling out “no justice, no peace.” and “I can’t breathe,” referencing Floyd’s final words as a Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck.

No Justice. No Peace #BlackLivesMattter #TorontoProtest #Peacefulprotest pic.twitter.com/BP5ZMIvV4P

— Justin. The Larry David of the internet. (@producerjustin) June 6, 2020

#TorontoProtest walked peacefully from Nathan Phillips Square to Dundas Square, with people joining along the way. #BLM #BlackLivesMatter #protest2020 #GeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/ZvUQO7FAUJ

— Xtine Cameron (@XtineCameron) June 6, 2020

There was some tension at the square as one demonstrator reportedly showed up in Blackface. Some protesters demanded “what are you doing here?” and asked the man wearing the offensive face paint to leave. At the end of the clip, a police officer is seen approaching the man.

man in blackface join protests in Toronto. smh 🤨 #protests2020 pic.twitter.com/UEuTMJwkIx

— NBA Hustle (@Hustle_NBA) June 6, 2020

Videos from local TV news outlets show police escorting the man out of the crowd.

• See also:
  • Trudeau takes a knee at anti-racism protest in Ottawa (PHOTOS)
  • Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand donate $100M to racial equality causes
  • Canadian pilot shows solidarity, draws raised fist in air for George Floyd

Toronto’s Black Lives Matter chapter did not organize this weekend’s demonstrations, but said in a Facebook post it believes “in individuals and community’s autonomy to choose their own way to protest.”