TORONTO – At least 350,000 people – and likely many more – peacefully flooded a stretch of Yonge Street in North York last Saturday to protest against the Islamic Republic of Iran and call for a regime change.
The demonstration was part of a Global Day of Action organized by exiled Iranian crown prince Reza Pahlavi, aimed at showing solidarity with the ongoing protest movement in Iran and denouncing the government’s harsh crackdown on demonstrators. Similar marches took place simultaneously in cities around the world, but for Toronto – and likely for Canada as a whole – it marked one of the largest demonstration ever held in the country for a foreign state.
Initially, Toronto police estimated attendance could exceed 200,000 people. “It’s a large number, but we’re ready for it,” officer Viktor Sarudi told CP24 ahead of the march. By early afternoon, authorities revised the figure to around 350,000 participants, with numbers steadily increasing as the procession – which began near Steeles Avenue and moved south toward North York Boulevard near Mel Lastman Square – progressed along Yonge Street.
Despite the massive turnout, which prompted major road closures, public transit adjustments, and hours of congestion in the city’s north end, the demonstration remained peaceful. Many participants carried signs and waved red, white, and green flags adorned with a golden lion – the symbol used by Iran before the Islamic Republic overthrew the monarchy in 1979. Protesters called for an end to the Islamic Republic, which continues to violently suppress widespread demonstrations inside the country.
There were no major incidents during the long march, aside from a single arrest – almost “inevitable” in a gathering of this size. Authorities praised the event, calling it “testament to careful planning, close coordination, effective multi‑agency collaboration, and policing excellence on a large scale.”
In a message posted on X (formerly Twitter), the Toronto Police Association thanked officers for their professionalism in ensuring that an event of this magnitude was conducted safely and respectfully. “Even with such an enormous crowd, the demonstration remained peaceful and largely without incident,” wrote the union, which represents over 8,500 uniformed and civilian members.
Several political figures and public personalities attended the rally, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who said on X that he was “honoured” to take part in the rally, “to stand in solidarity with the people of Iran as they fight for peace, freedom and democracy.”
In the pic above, the front of the march on Yonge Street (photo posted by Premier Doug Ford on Twitter X – @fordnation)
