Anti-immigration rally in Toronto sparks massive counter-protests

On September 13, 2025, Christie Pits Park in Toronto will be the site of a significant public event. On this day, activist Joe Anidjar plans to hold a Canada First rally under the slogan of fighting mass immigration. At the same time, local communities are organizing several counter-demonstrations under the common slogan "No to Hate, Yes to Immigrants!"

Historical Significance of the Venue

The choice of location for the rally is not accidental. Christie Pits Park (officially named Willowvale Park until 1983) holds special historical significance for Toronto. On August 16, 1933, it was the site of the Christie Pits Riot — one of the most serious ethnic clashes in the city's history. The riot began after a baseball game when a local group called the Pit Gang unfurled a swastika flag, leading to a six-hour conflict between various ethnic groups.

The park is located at 750 Bloor Street West, covers 21.9 acres, and sits well below street level due to its origin as a sand pit. Today, it's a popular recreational area with baseball fields, a swimming pool, playgrounds, and slopes for winter activities. The park serves as the home field for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the Intercounty Baseball League.

Canada First Rally Organizer

The rally is being organized by Joe Anidjar, known on social media as @PuckDaddy93. He works in sales at BarterPay and coaches youth hockey at the East York Hockey Association. Anidjar portrays himself as a "Canadian patriot" and "hockey dad" fighting for freedom.

On social media, Anidjar actively engages with Tommy Robinson — a well-known far-right activist from the UK and founder of the now-defunct English Defence League. The Toronto rally coincides with a similar "free speech rally" that Robinson is organizing in London on the same day.

Evan Balgord, an expert on hate groups from the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, notes that Anidjar may have borrowed the Canada First name from larger far-right groups to create the appearance of a large-scale organization. In reality, the movement is primarily driven by one individual.

Rally Program and Slogans

The Canada First rally is scheduled for 1:00-4:00 PM. Event posters call to "stop mass immigration," "start mass deportations," and claim "remigration is necessary." Experts say the term "remigration" is a euphemism for ethnic cleansing, implying the creation of such unbearable conditions for immigrants that they would be forced to leave the country.

Anidjar himself claims that his event is "not about hate, but about raising awareness of the real impact of illegal immigration." He calls the participants "Canadian patriots" and urges to "put Canada first."

Counter-demonstrations and Public Response

In response to the Canada First rally announcement, local activists have organized several counter-demonstrations. The main event, "No to Hate, Yes to Immigrants!" will start at 12:00 PM, an hour before the main rally. Organizers emphasize the family-friendly nature of their event.

Deena Ladd, Executive Director of the Workers Action Centre and co-organizer of the counter-demonstration, reports significant community support. Over 60 people have signed up as volunteers, including musicians and those ready to run children's activities. A community member has donated an ice cream truck to provide free treats to counter-protest participants.

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The counter-demonstration program includes workshops, speeches, music, and family entertainment. Organizers also plan to prepare banners for the Canada-wide day of action on September 20, which will unite the fight for migrant rights, Indigenous sovereignty, anti-war, climate, and economic issues.

Facebook event pages for the counter-demonstrations show over 1,000 people expressing interest in attending, significantly outnumbering the expected Canada First supporters.

City Authorities' Position

City Councillor Dianna Saxe from the University-Rosedale ward has issued a statement condemning the planned rally. She called it a "demonstration of hate" and expressed deep concern about its potential impact on city residents born outside Canada.

"This is causing a lot of concern for many people in my ward, which is how I learned about it," Saxe stated. "As you know, about half of Toronto's residents were born somewhere else, and many of them feel personally affected by this demonstration."

In response, Anidjar accused the councillor of not contacting him directly before publishing her statement and claims he sent her a letter explaining the "true goals" of the protest.

Historical Context and Current Situation

The events of September 13 are taking place against the backdrop of growing debates about immigration policy in Canada. The federal government recently announced a reduction in the number of immigrants accepted due to housing affordability issues and rising living costs. Critics note that immigrants are becoming scapegoats for problems rooted in other areas.

Activists point out parallels with the 1930s atmosphere that led to the Christie Pits riot. Deena Ladd warns: "The refugees who arrived today are not the ones who stopped building affordable housing 30 years ago. They don't control the fact that Loblaws keeps jacking up food prices."

Safety and Event Preparation

Toronto authorities are preparing for a potentially tense situation on September 13. Christie Pits Park is located in the heart of a multicultural district, connecting Koreatown with the Bloor West area, home to East African, Latin American, and South Asian communities.

Counter-demonstration organizers stress the importance of their event's peaceful nature and encourage participants to come with their families. They note that Christie Pits has traditionally served as a gathering place for migrants, Indigenous peoples, the LGBTQ+ community, students, and families.

The events of September 13 will be a test for Toronto — a city where nearly half the residents were born outside Canada. The outcome of this confrontation may influence future discussions on immigration and multiculturalism in the country's largest city.

Your Position

What position do you support in this debate? Despite the controversial discussions, Canada remains one of the most attractive countries for immigration due to its high standard of living, stable economy, and developed social support system.

If you're considering immigrating to Canada, our specialists are ready to help you navigate the various programs and find the most suitable path. Book a consultation and get a professional assessment of your chances for successful immigration to Canada.