TORONTO — In what is being described as one of the largest demonstrations in Canadian history, an estimated 350,000 people flooded the streets of North York on Saturday, February 14, 2026. The march, stretching along Yonge Street, was part of a coordinated “Global Day of Action” supporting anti-government protests in Iran.
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The rally was sparked by a call from Iran’s exiled Crown Prince, Reza Pahlavi, who urged the global diaspora to pressure the international community for a democratic transition.
- Symbolism: Many participants carried the “Lion and Sun” flag, the national symbol of Iran prior to the 1979 Revolution.
- Demands: Protesters called for the Canadian government to officially recognize Pahlavi as the leader of a transitional government and to further sanction the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
- Scale: The turnout shattered previous records, more than doubling the 150,000-person attendance seen at a similar rally at Sankofa Square just two weeks prior.
Political and Global Context
The event in Toronto was a central pillar of a worldwide movement.
- Global Solidarity: Similar massive turnouts were reported in Munich (250,000) and Los Angeles (350,000), with over one million people estimated to have participated globally.
- Canadian Action: On the day of the rally, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand announced new sanctions against seven Iranian individuals involved in “transnational repression.”
- High-Level Attendance: Ontario Premier Doug Ford and several MPs joined the crowd, expressing solidarity with the Iranian people’s fight for “peace, freedom, and democracy.”
Security and Safety
Despite the unprecedented scale of the crowd, Toronto Police reported that the event was remarkably peaceful.
- Police Response: Authorities had initially prepared for 200,000 people but quickly adjusted as the crowd swelled.
- Incident Report: One 26-year-old man was arrested and charged with a hate-motivated assault, and a Burlington man was arrested prior to the event for making online threats. Outside of these isolated incidents, the Toronto Police Association praised the professionalism of officers and the cooperation of the marchers.
