Toronto (Gaganjot): An estimated 350,000 people filled the streets of Toronto on Saturday in a sweeping show of solidarity with anti-government demonstrators in Iran, according to police. The march, centred in North York and stretching along Yonge Street, called on Canadian officials to formally recognize exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi as a figurehead for a democratic transition in Iran.
Participants waved red, white and green flags bearing the historic lion emblem used before Iran’s 1979 revolution, chanting slogans and beating drums as they moved through the city. Organizers said the rally aimed not only to support those protesting in Iran but also to raise awareness among Canadians about what they described as an ongoing struggle for freedom.
Co-organizer Aveen Ghahremani said many in the Iranian-Canadian community feel a deep responsibility to speak out. She noted that living in Canada underscores the contrast in civil liberties and opportunities compared to those in Iran. “We are fortunate to have freedoms here that many back home are denied,” she said, emphasizing the importance of international engagement.
In a letter shared with media outlets, organizers urged the Government of Canada to take what they described as meaningful and timely action in response to Iran’s “ongoing national crisis.” The letter criticized decades of repression under the current regime and argued that its legitimacy has eroded domestically and internationally.
The demonstration comes amid continued unrest in Iran, where protests have been met with force, arrests and reported human rights violations. Marchers in Toronto called for an end to crackdowns and expressed support for a political transition.
Responding to the rally, a spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada said Ottawa remains committed to holding Iran accountable for human rights abuses. Canada has previously designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist entity and has imposed sanctions on individuals linked to Iranian state institutions.
On Saturday, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand announced additional sanctions targeting seven individuals associated with Iranian authorities. The measures, she said in a statement, are intended to address what Canada describes as transnational repression and intimidation tactics aimed at critics abroad.
Officials also raised concerns about alleged efforts by Iranian-linked actors to harass and silence dissidents in Europe and North America, warning that such activities undermine international law and national sovereignty.
For many who attended the Toronto march, the message was clear: solidarity with protesters in Iran and a call for stronger international backing. As chants echoed through the city, participants said they hoped their voices would resonate far beyond Canada’s borders.
