One of Toronto's largest riots that saw clashes between a pro-Nazi group and Jewish residents was commemorated at Christie Pits Park today.
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) hosted a friendly softball game at the west Toronto park, which organizers say is an opportunity to not only to remember the past, but also celebrate the present.
"We are here more to celebrate where we are – Toronto is the greatest city in the world … and [Canada] is an unbelievably safe and welcoming country for the Jewish community," said Jordan Kerbel of the CIJA.
The riot broke out on Aug. 16, 1933 during a softball game after a pro-Nazi group unfurled a blanket with a swastika and pro-Adolf Hitler slogans to show their resentment of foreigners in Toronto.
"The Jewish people in attendance at the game took great offence to that, as they should," Kerbel told CP24.
"They tried to get the blanket away and the next thing you know we're in the middle of a six hour riot. Some 10,000 people were involved," he said.
The softball game was the second in a series between a predominately Jewish team and a team from a local church.
Joe Black remembers he was just across the road from Christie Pits when the riot broke out.
"There was a knoll in the middle of the park … that's where the flag was raised and of course it was ripped down and fighting broke out in all different places around the whole neighbourhood," Black said.
Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair attended the game and said it is a time to remember but also a time to celebrate where we are today.
"It's important to remember our history and it's important to remember some of those very tragic and difficult events that brought us this understanding of plurialism and how we should live together," Blair said.
