Abolish the Police and Prisons Pride March kicked off Sunday morning at Nathan Phillips Square
People gathered Sunday morning in downtown Toronto to reclaim and celebrate "radical histories, to refuse all forms of police and carceral and corporatized violence, and for liveable futures without police and prisons.”
Hosted by No Pride in Policing Coalition and co-sponsored by No More Silence, the Abolish the Police and Prisons Pride March ran from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Nathan Phillips Square.
Indigenous Elder Wanda Whitebird officiated the opening ceremony, while Robyn Maynard, Brianna Olson Pitawanakwat of Toronto Indigenous Harm Reduction, Beverly Bain, Tom Hooper, Desmond Cole, Gary Kinsman, Channel Gallant, Rinaldo Walcott, Rajean Hoilett of Workers Action Centre, Mino Do from Butterfly of Asian and Migrant Sex Workers Support Network, and Joy Wong of Friends of China Town served as the day’s speakers.
Participants then departed Nathan Phillips Square and march north on University Avenue stopping at key sites along the way to “acknowledge 2SLGBTQ+ Black and racialized, and queer and trans protests and resistance.”
The theme of this year’s event was "Abolitionist Pride: Reclaiming our Radical Histories and Creating Liveable Futures without Police and Prisons."
The event was organized in response to Toronto police’s recent release of a report on race-based data, which found Black, Indigenous and racialized people were over-represented in use of force incidents and strip searches.
Organizers say these communities “continue to experience the ever-increasing violence from police in the streets, in their homes and in encampments around the City of Toronto.”
They said the march also aims to serve as a “refusal of the on-going corporatization of Pride Toronto and their investment in relationships with the Police, Mayor John Tory and Premier Doug Ford.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, Ontario police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
Taylor Swift's new album allegedly 'leaked' on social media and it's causing a frenzy
A Google Drive link allegedly containing 17 tracks that are purportedly from Swift's eagerly awaited "The Tortured Poets Department" album has been making the rounds on the internet in the past day and people are equal parts mad, sad and happy about it.
Calgary man charged with manslaughter in death of toddler
Calgary police say Winston Campbell, 45, has been charged in the death of a two-year-old girl in 2022.
Allman Brothers Band co-founder and legendary guitarist Dickey Betts dies at 80
Guitar legend Dickey Betts, who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band and wrote their biggest hit, 'Ramblin' Man,' has died. He was 80.