A number of protests were held in the Canadian city of Toronto as well as in Hong Kong
China observed its 71st National day on October 1. While celebrations were held across China, Toronto, the biggest city of Canada, saw a number of protests and marches against Chinese National Day in many areas of the city. The protesters sharing the anti-China feeling prevalent in several parts of the world, took to the streets of Toronto to protest on the Chinese National Day.
The protest marches broke out after the Chinese flag raising ceremony took place at the City Hall. The ceremony took place in absence of Toronto’s Mayor John Tory. According to some media reports, his absence was due to a number of issues between Canada and China.
Following the protest marches, the flag raising scheduled to take place by the Ontario Legislative Assembly and Consul General in Toronto was also cancelled.
Around 300 protesters gathered opposite the Chinese consulate in Toronto to protest against China over several issues including COVID-19. The protesters included members of Hong Kong, Tibetan, Vietnamese, Mongolian and Taiwanese communities, several media reports suggested. The protesters also included members of the Indian diaspora.
In Hong Kong too, the Chinese National Day celebrations were marked by protests across the city. The city burst into protests once again amid Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Carrie Lam in a statement claiming that the city has returned to peace after China imposed a security law which overpowered the pro-democracy movements across the city.
The recent protests resulted in the arrests of at least 86 people on suspicion of unauthorized assembly on the streets to protest against China on its National Day. The protesters took to streets chanting ‘pro-democracy’ slogans asking to disband the police and demanding freedom for Hong Kong from China.
Amid this, what caught the eye of the world was a protester who protested against China wearing an India flag. The photographs of the protesters took rounds of twitter and attracted many comments.
Ray Chang, a Hong Kong Parliamentarian, on Twitter wrote, “#HongKong & #India shared a long history. Tens of thousands of #HongKongers of South Asian heritage were born here. This gentleman feels a tribute to the Indian nation is long overdue, so he honors the tricolor on China’s national day.”
#HongKong & #India shared a long history. Tens of thousands of #HongKongers of South Asian heritage were born here. This gentleman feels a tribute to the Indian nation is long overdue, so he honors the tricolor on China's national day. #October1stProtest #HongKongProtests pic.twitter.com/rIf6y0CUdv
— Ray Chan (@ray_slowbeat) October 1, 2020
Others tweeted
Indian flag in Hongkong street. It's unique demonstration on China day.
— IndiaUnited (@indiaunited01) October 1, 2020
India is gaining support in Hongkong, as India is seen as a country which can challenge the might of China. pic.twitter.com/sRpoLtpXl0
Hong Kong pro-democracy protester carries Indian flag during Chinese National Day protests.
— VSK ASSAM (@VSKASSAM) October 2, 2020
When he was asked why he was wearing an Indian flag, he said, “Because India is fighting China. So India is my friend!” #MythOfOneChina pic.twitter.com/r5Mdfj4Qat
Several activist groups also protested against China on its National Day. Now for Humanity, one such group, protested in various cities of the world.
It posted on Twitter, “On #China’s National Day, we decided to fight back. Our members organised protests worldwide to support #HongKong, #Tibet, #Taiwan, the #Hyghurs, and much more. The flame of liberty is alive: now it’s our turn to bring it forward.”
On #China’s National Day, we decided to fight back.
Our members organized protests worldwide to support #HongKong, #Tibet, #Taiwan, the #Hyghurs, and much more.
The flame of liberty is alive: now it’s our turn to bring it forward.