Toronto police have arrested a man for making online threats aimed at a large rally held on Saturday against Iran’s crackdown on ongoing protests in that country.
Hundreds of thousands joined the rally on Saturday, waving red, white, and green flags featuring a golden lion – the flag used by Iran before the Islamic Republic took over in 1979.
This was just one of many rallies around the globe, with local estimates from Toronto police putting attendance at about 350,000. In Vancouver, police reported around 50,000 participants marched.
Toronto police learned about a social media threat directed at the rally on Friday.
They claim that the individual threatened to bring a firearm to the protest with plans to disrupt it.
Before the rally commenced, officers from Toronto police’s 32 Division intelligence services and emergency task force executed a search warrant at the suspect’s residence in Burlington.
![Click to play video: 'Global Day of Action in Vancouver supporting Iranian regime change']()
2:10 Global Day of Action in Vancouver supporting Iranian regime change
Anyone who has information regarding this incident is encouraged to reach out to police at 416-808-3200 or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously.
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Since late December, Iran has seen widespread protests sparked by an ongoing economic crisis. Although initially focused on economic issues, protesters have shifted their demands towards calling for an end to the Islamic Republic and some are even backing the return of the deposed monarchy.
The government in Iran has intensified its crackdown on these protests and imposed an internet blackout across much of the country. Reports indicate that more than 3,000 individuals have lost their lives since demonstrations began.
The rally held in Toronto was part of numerous events taking place worldwide under what is being referred to as a Global Day of Action.
Recently, Foreign Minister Anita Anand announced that Canada would be imposing further sanctions on seven individuals under Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations.
A press release from Global Affairs Canada stated that those sanctioned are linked to Iranian state organizations responsible for “intimidation, violence and transnational repression targeting Iranian dissidents and human rights defenders.”
To date, Canada has sanctioned a total of 222 people from Iran along with 256 entities connected to Iran’s government according to their announcement.
-with files from The Canadian Press and Associated Press
© 2026 , a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
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Get daily Canada news delivered to your inbox so you’ll never miss the day’s top stories. The authorities then arrested a 56-year-old man from Burlington and charged him with making threats of death or bodily harm. The suspect was set to appear in court at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre on Saturday morning at 10 a. m.
2:10 Global Day of Action in Vancouver supporting Iranian regime change
Anyone who has information regarding this incident is encouraged to reach out to police at 416-808-3200 or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously.
More on Canada More videos
Since late December, Iran has seen widespread protests sparked by an ongoing economic crisis. Although initially focused on economic issues, protesters have shifted their demands towards calling for an end to the Islamic Republic and some are even backing the return of the deposed monarchy.
The government in Iran has intensified its crackdown on these protests and imposed an internet blackout across much of the country. Reports indicate that more than 3,000 individuals have lost their lives since demonstrations began.
The rally held in Toronto was part of numerous events taking place worldwide under what is being referred to as a Global Day of Action.
Recently, Foreign Minister Anita Anand announced that Canada would be imposing further sanctions on seven individuals under Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations.
A press release from Global Affairs Canada stated that those sanctioned are linked to Iranian state organizations responsible for “intimidation, violence and transnational repression targeting Iranian dissidents and human rights defenders.”
To date, Canada has sanctioned a total of 222 people from Iran along with 256 entities connected to Iran’s government according to their announcement.
-with files from The Canadian Press and Associated Press
© 2026 , a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
Source link
