Toronto, February 2, 2026 — A large crowd of demonstrators brought parts of downtown Toronto to a standstill on Sunday as thousands gathered in solidarity with protesters in Iran, where widespread unrest has erupted over economic collapse and opposition to the country’s ruling clerical regime.
The demonstration, which moved from Sankofa Square to Queen’s Park, was held in response to nationwide protests that began in Iran on December 28 following sharp price hikes. The unrest has since evolved into broader anti-government demonstrations targeting the leadership that has governed the country for nearly five decades. At the same time, Iran has witnessed large counter-rallies by pro-government supporters seeking to reinforce the authority of the theocratic system.
Toronto police said well over 100,000 people attended Sunday’s protest, prompting road closures and traffic delays across the downtown core throughout the afternoon. Authorities issued multiple advisories warning commuters of disruptions in the area.
Many protesters said they were driven by concern for loved ones still living in Iran.
Pooria Shafia, a Toronto-based engineer who attended the rally, said the uncertainty surrounding his family’s safety has been deeply distressing. He said fear often prevents him from reaching out, unsure of what news he might receive from relatives back home.
Protesters called for democratic elections in Iran and urged the Canadian government to take stronger action against the regime.
Demonstrators demanded measures that would weaken Iran’s leadership, including the deportation of Islamic Republic officials from Canada and an end to diplomatic negotiations between the regime and United Nations member states.
Global Affairs Canada declined to comment on whether new measures would be introduced, instead pointing to earlier statements condemning the killing of protesters and praising the courage of Iranians challenging the government. The European Union recently designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization, a step Canada had already taken in June 2024.
Human rights groups report a staggering toll from the ongoing crackdown. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency estimates that more than 49,500 people have been detained and at least 6,713 killed, most of them demonstrators. These figures have not been independently verified, as Iranian authorities have severely restricted internet access. Iran’s government has placed the death toll much lower, at 3,117, though critics note that previous unrest has often been underreported by the state.
The scale of the violence is described by observers as unprecedented in recent decades and has drawn comparisons to the turmoil surrounding Iran’s 1979 revolution.
Morvarid Sadinejad, another Toronto-based engineer who joined the march, said the Iranian diaspora in Canada feels compelled to speak for those who cannot. She described the situation as a collective trauma and urged Canadians of all backgrounds to stand in solidarity, stressing that the issue transcends ideology and is fundamentally about human rights.
Despite anger and grief, protesters said the atmosphere remained defiant, marked by chanting, music and applause. Participants said mourning would come later, but for now, the focus remains on resisting what they describe as a brutal regime.
Shafia said it has been difficult to maintain a sense of normalcy in Canada while events unfold in Iran. He called on people from all communities to unite and speak out, saying silence from global human rights advocates has been especially painful for Iranians watching the crisis escalate.
