A significant rally in support of the ongoing anti-government protests in Iran is set to take place in North York on Saturday afternoon. Toronto police anticipate crowds exceeding 200,000 participants, as a 3.8 km march will take place along Yonge Street, starting from Steeles Avenue and progressing south to North York Boulevard.
The march is expected to result in a complete closure of Yonge Street between the hours of 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., with surrounding roads restricted to local traffic only. In a public statement released on Friday, Toronto police urged residents and motorists to plan ahead due to the anticipated significant traffic disruptions. They also assured the community that police will be present to ensure everyone's safety during the event.
The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) has announced that the 97 Yonge bus will be on detour around the affected area starting at 11 a.m. in anticipation of the rally. They also warned of "extreme traffic and transit delays" expected to last until at least 6 p.m. Access to North York Centre Station will be limited and closely monitored due to the high volume of foot traffic anticipated. In addition, staggered station closures may be implemented as necessary to maintain safety and security on subway platforms.
This rally follows a similar, peaceful demonstration earlier this month in downtown Toronto, which also attracted hundreds of thousands of participants. In Iran, widespread protests first erupted on December 28, triggered by an economic crisis that caused the country's currency to plummet. Although the initial demonstrations focused on rising living costs, protesters have since broadened their grievances to include demands for political reform.
According to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, the death toll from the nationwide protests in Iran has surpassed 7,000, with many more feared dead. The Iranian government had reported a death toll of 3,117 on January 21. The ongoing situation highlights the deep-rooted dissatisfaction within the Iranian population and the international attention directed towards the protests.
