Ottawa Is Organizing A Peaceful Solidarity Protest On Friday To Honour George Floyd

Following the death of George Floyd and Regis Korchinski-Paquet, a peaceful protest in Ottawa has now been organized. On Friday, protesters will march in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, as well as to speak out against anti-black racism and police impunity. This follows similar events in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal.

On Friday, June 5, Ottawans are expected to set off on their own peaceful march around the capital, in solidarity with similar protests that are taking place across the world right now.

According to CTV News, and posts circulating on social media, the protest will begin at 3 p.m. at the U.S. Embassy on Sussex Drive. Supporters will then march to Parliament Hill and back.

Several Twitter posts about the event state that physical distancing will be in place wherever possible, and masks will be worn as per the city's recommendations.

Locals will be taking to the streets in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, and to protest anti-black racism and police impunity following a number of events in Canada and the United States last week.

The march will begin at Ottawa's U.S. embassy to honour George Floyd, a man who died last week after an American police officer knelt on his neck. Floyd was captured on video saying, “I can’t breathe.”

Supporters will also be marching to remember Regis Korchinski-Paquet, a woman who died in Toronto after falling from her 24th floor balcony. Her family accuse police officers of being responsible for her death. An investigation is ongoing.

Similar protests took place across Canada last weekend, with marches occurring in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal.

While these events were largely peaceful, some violence did break out on Sunday night in Montreal, after local police declared the solidarity protest to be illegal.

While there was no large-scale protest in Ottawa last weekend, a small group of people did gather outside the U.S. embassy with a huge sign, reading, "Justice 4 George."

“We are white, but we thought we would show up and start the work and show that we are outraged,” one of the supporters told CTV News.

The Prime Minister has also addressed the situation, speaking on May 29 about racism in Canada.

"We need, as a society, to stand together, stand up against discrimination, be there for each other in respect," he said.

*This article's cover image is for illustrative purposes only.