Photos, Video From Anti-Black Racism Protests Across Canada

From Prince George, B.C., to Iqaluit to St. John's.

By Premila D'Sa

People gather during a We Are One rally at Simms Park in Courtenay, B.C. on June 5, 2020 in solidarity... — People gather during a We Are One rally at Simms Park in Courtenay, B.C. on June 5, 2020 in solidarity with the George Floyd protests across the U.S. as well as to draw attention to indigenous rights in Canada.

From rainy Prince George, B.C., to cloudy Whitehorse to the blue skies of St. John’s, Canadians gathered at protests across the country to join a worldwide call to action against racial injustice and police brutality.

The demonstrations are spurred by the killing last month of George Floyd, a Black man who died during an arrest by a white police officer over an alleged $20 counterfeit bill.

A few days after Floyd’s death, a Black woman named Regis Korchinski-Paquet died in the presence of Toronto police when they responded to a call to resolve a family conflict.

These events have forced Canadians to revaluate their own experiences and attitudes towards with racism.

While much attention has been focused on large crowds in big cities including Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg, the groundswell has reached smaller places in Canada over the last few days.

Grande Prairie, Alta.

In one of the most conservative towns in Canada, we still got out to march for Black Lives Matter in Grande Prairie, AB. #BlackLivesMatter #BLM pic.twitter.com/OCz37blMvF
— Ben Dover (@BenDoverTrum) June 6, 2020
Red Deer, Alta.

A prayer being said for #GeorgeFloyd's mother. Everyone kneeling here in downtown #RedDeer. #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/c8ZJ4eu7F1
— Josh Hall-rdnewsNOW 🇨🇦🌈 (@vancan19) June 6, 2020
Iqaluit

First batch of photos from today’s #BlackLivesMatter protest in #Iqaluit #Nunavut pic.twitter.com/NOsnGwCfxU
— Sima Sahar Zerehi (@SimaSaharZerehi) June 5, 2020
Ajax, Ont.

Standing in solidarity with you, #blm. @townofajax has one of the largest black communities in Canada. It's vital that we address antiblackness in our families, neighborhoods, communities and even within ourselves to keep our black communities safe. Black lives matter. pic.twitter.com/iwRESlE6vZ
— Armi De Francia (@a_defrancia) June 6, 2020
Prince George, B.C.

Hundreds of people took to the streets of Prince George during the first #BlackLivesMatters protest #cityofpg #racism #BLM #black #bc #canada @PGMatters #GeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/vNvBUMHbWS
— Jess Balzer (@jessicajbalzer) June 5, 2020
My Son and Daughter and Friend attended the BLM Protest in St. John's Newfoundland today. pic.twitter.com/2YZWiofQQU
— Suzanne Kilfoy (@susankilfoy) June 6, 2020
Cambridge, Ont.

We stand proud here in Cambridge Ontario Canada#blm #blacklifematters #blacklivesmatter pic.twitter.com/Bcgu7UPdie
— Yularia Cosplay @Home Con (@ArilaCosplay) June 5, 2020
Fredericton

We've started protesting in Fredericton! #blm #fredericton #canada #blacklivesmattercanada pic.twitter.com/aa0vBUhRUm
— little•mama💋 (@ems_94317) June 3, 2020
Whitehorse

anti-black and anti-indigenous protest in whitehorse pic.twitter.com/zlfvUo3bQL
— christi⁷🇨🇦 (@egaytae) June 7, 2020
Kingston, Ont.

Today in Kingston, Ontario. Strong turn out and heartlfelt demonstration. #blm #BlackLivesMattters #Kingston #canada pic.twitter.com/oCi1MG93MT
— Emad Talisman (@PapaTalisman) June 6, 2020
Nanaimo, B.C.

A rally against racism drew a large crowd to Maffeo Sutton Park in Nanaimo on Friday as similar demonstrations took place around Canada and the world, calling for an end to institutionalized racism. #BLM #Nanaimo #Peacefulprotest #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/TnfT0Hyuzt
— Tyler Hay (@_hay_tyler) June 6, 2020
Arnprior, Ont.

So proud of everyone today in Arnprior. We spoke up and showed up. #BlackLivesMatter #Arnprior #blm #Canada (also that’s my kid leading the crowd) ❤️ pic.twitter.com/TqmSIrJNs1
— Candice Nault (@BonafideC) June 7, 2020
Lethbridge, Alta.

Speeches are now being made by BIPOC community leaders and one speaker just said “Canada is not immune to racism,” to which the crowd erupted into loud applause. #BlackLivesMatter #IndigenousLivesMatter #BLM #yql pic.twitter.com/RsTQuBmEYC
— Taz Dhaliwal (@taz_dhaliwal) June 5, 2020
Banff, Alta.

Bow Valley raises fist at Black Lives Matter rallies https://t.co/HtJBCukkCP pic.twitter.com/pwWl6B0JEt
— RockyMountainOutlook (@rmoutlook) June 6, 2020
Saskatoon

saskatoon, canada says BLACK LIVES MATTER! #yxe #BlackLivesMatter #blm #NoJusticeNoPeace pic.twitter.com/rAF4RsEMIC
— aspen ! 𝚋𝚕𝚖 (@pupipIier) June 5, 2020
Elliot, Lake, Ont.

Elliot Lake, Ontario Canada Protest today #BLM #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/GAEde3Jkls
— Tracey 💖🌊 #BLM #NoJusticeNoPeace #Icantbreathe! (@TraceyAnnCraft) June 6, 2020
Thunder Bay, Ont.
Sarnia, Ont.

Powerful messages of honour and change today outside of City Hall. #blm #BlackLivesMattter #blacklivesmattercanada #solidarity #canada #sarnia pic.twitter.com/8dc1EelOYv
— Brian White (@brianwhite519) June 2, 2020
Victoria, B.C.

Proud of the people of Victoria tonight. I’m from the type of place where my graduating high school class of 350 had about 15 black students... so to see a strong, peaceful, respectful turnout tonight was really amazing.

(P.S. Canada is NOT innocent in this by any means.) #BLM pic.twitter.com/LnGnnKYHOW
— Hosp. 🔌 (@Hospey) June 2, 2020
Windsor, Ont.

Windsor Black Lives Matter Protest 🖤 #BlackLivesMattter #BLM #protest #speakup #endracism #wehaveadream #ihaveadream #MLK #equal #windsor #ontario #canada pic.twitter.com/ZDQBz84vTd
— Chaos (@Chaos_519) June 7, 2020
Toronto

Mark Spowart/The Canadian Press Images

Thousands of protestors march down Yonge Street in Toronto on June 5, 2020. The protest was one of several against anti-Black racism that took place in Canada.
Toronto

Mark Spowart/The Canadian Press Images

Protesters demanded justice for Regis Korchinski-Paquet, a Black woman who died in the presence of Toronto police. The march on June 5, 2020 was also in solidarity with protests in the U.S. for George Floyd, a Black man who was killed by a white police officer while handcuffed in Minneapolis in May.
Ottawa

Sean Kilpatrick/THE CANADIAN PRESS

People take part in an anti-racism protest on Parliament Hill during in Ottawa on Friday, June 5, 2020.
Ottawa

Sean Kilpatrick/THE CANADIAN PRESS
Ottawa

Sean Kilpatrick/THE CANADIAN PRESS

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau takes a knee during an 8 minute and 46 second silence as he takes part in an anti-racism protest on Parliament Hill on June 5, 2020. He is joined by Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Ahmed Hussen, left and Liberal MP Greg Fergus, right.
London, Ont.

Mark Spowart/The Canadian Press Images

An estimated 10,000 Londoners gathered in Victoria Park and then took to the streets to protest anti-black racism and police brutality, in London, Ont. on June 6, 2020.
London, Ont.

Mark Spowart/The Canadian Press Images

Protesters march down the streets of London, Ont. holding signs on June 6, 2020.
London, Ont.

Mark Spowart/The Canadian Press Images

Police escort a man who entered the crowd in opposition to the protest in London, Ont on June 6, 2020. Punches were thrown and the man was quickly led away by organizers and police.
Courtenay, B.C.

Jen Osborne/THE CANADIAN PRESS

People gather during a We Are One rally at Simms Park in Courtenay, B.C. on June 5, 2020.
Courtenay, B.C.

Jen Osborne/THE CANADIAN PRESS
Vancouver

Darryl Dyck/THE CANADIAN PRESS

A man holds a skateboard bearing George Floyd's name above his head as thousands of people gather for a peaceful demonstration on May 31, 2020.
Regina

Mark Taylor/THE CANADIAN PRESS

Hundreds of people participate in a Black Lives Matter demonstration in front of Saskatchewan's legislative building on June 2, 2020.
Regina

Mark Taylor/THE CANADIAN PRESS

Hundreds of people take a knee while participating in a Black Lives Matter demonstration in front of Saskatchewan's legislative building on June 2, 2020.
Calgary

Jeff McIntosh/THE CANADIAN PRESS

Protesters take a knee as they gather in solidarity with the George Floyd protests across the United States in Calgary on June 3, 2020.
Calgary

Jeff McIntosh/THE CANADIAN PRESS

Protesters walk past a police officer as they gather in solidarity with the George Floyd protests across the United States in Calgary on June 3, 2020.
Vancouver

Darryl Dyck/THE CANADIAN PRESS

A woman holds a sign reading "Hold Police Accountable" near police officers watching as thousands of people gather for a peaceful demonstration against racism, injustice and police brutality on May 31, 2020.
Vancouver

Darryl Dyck/THE CANADIAN PRESS

Thousands of people gather for a peaceful demonstration in support of George Floyd in Vancouver on May 31, 2020.
Halifax

Andrew Vaughan/THE CANADIAN PRESS

Protesters demonstrate against police action in the death of George Floyd and others in Halifax on June 1, 2020.
Montreal

Graham Hughes/THE CANADIAN PRESS

People attend a demonstration calling for justice for the death of George Floyd and all victims of police brutality, in Montreal, on June 7, 2020.
Montreal

Graham Hughes/THE CANADIAN PRESS

People hold up signs during a demonstration calling for justice for the death of George Floyd and all victims of police brutality on June 7, 2020.
Montreal

Graham Hughes/THE CANADIAN PRESS

Montreal police estimate about 10,000 people took part in a demonstration calling for justice for the death of George Floyd and all victims of police brutality on June 7, 2020.