Marches in Toronto, Ottawa to honour black lives lost at hands of police

Demonstrators will take to the streets of Toronto on Friday to honour black lives lost at the hands of police.

The “I Can’t Breathe Toronto March” is expected to start at 12:30 p.m. at the Bloor-Yonge subway station, make its way down Yonge Street to Lake Shore Boulevard, then up Spadina Avenue to Queen Street and ending at City Hall.

Two events are also planned for Saturday, a rally at Nathan Phillips Square and a march from Trinity Bellwoods Park to Queen’s Park.

The demonstrations follow days of protests across the United States after a video showed Minneapolis police killing a black man, George Floyd, unleashing a torrent of anger over persistent racism. A police officer knelt on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes while he pleaded that he couldn’t breathe.

On Friday, demonstrators will also march from Parliament Hill through the streets of Ottawa.

The Ottawa event is being organized by No Peace Until Justice. The group said its goal is to bring together black activists and organizations and allies to stand in solidarity against police brutality and societal racism.

The event has touched off some online controversy about who is welcome to attend. The Ottawa police were not invited at the request of the No Peace Until Justice organizers.

After Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson noted his intention to be there, the group said he was invited via Twitter by unaffiliated individuals. “The No Peace Until Justice organizers did not reach out to him or his office.”

The group said it opposes all streaming and the taking of videos or photos of the demonstration to protect the identity and safety of those attending.

For their part, the Ottawa police say public safety is a shared responsibility.

“We are working with organizers and all stakeholders to enable a safe, healthy and positive event,” the police service said Thursday.

“You have a right to be heard. And we will support that right by ensuring your safety.”