A man from Burlington, Ontario, aged 56, has been apprehended and charged with making threats against demonstrators in Toronto who were part of a global protest against the Iranian government. Michael David Holland allegedly posted a threat on social media indicating plans to attend the rally armed to disrupt the event, leading to his arrest.
Toronto police stated that Holland’s online threat was aimed at causing harm to participants of the rally. Following a search at his residence in Burlington, Holland was taken into custody and charged with uttering threats of death or bodily harm.
Meanwhile, in North York, a crowd of approximately 350,000 individuals marched down Yonge Street as part of the global protest, echoing calls for change in Iran. Protesters displayed red, white, and green flags with a golden lion, symbolizing the pre-1979 monarchy of Iran. The demonstrations highlighted the ongoing government repression in Iran, with violent crackdowns on dissent sparking outrage among the international community.
Nima Najafi, a protester, expressed concern for the situation in Iran, stating, “It’s heartbreaking to witness the struggles faced by our friends and families in Iran, who are being silenced and harmed for expressing their voices.” Najafi had previously participated in a rally supporting anti-government protests in Iran and noted the increased turnout at the most recent event in Toronto.
Toronto police estimated the crowd at 350,000 during the demonstration, emphasizing the growing support for the cause. This rally follows a similarly impactful protest in downtown Toronto, which attracted 150,000 attendees earlier in the month.