Kitchener Streets Were Overflowing With Protestors On Wednesday Night (PHOTOS)
Massive crowds gathered in Kitchener on Wednesday afternoon to march against police brutality. The Kitchener protest began at 5 p.m. and attracted thousands of residents from the area. Some participants took to the streets while others joined the event online.
Protestors were observed wearing masks while holding up signs and chanting in unison.
The Facebook event had 5,300 marked as "going" while 7,900 said they were "interested."
However, people weren't just participating in the streets.
Their live stream of the event on the Black Lives Matter Waterloo page received 63,000 views on their online stream, according to organizers.
On the event page, organizers had asked people to come peacefully and to observe COVID-19 precautions. "MASKS OR FACE COVERINGS ARE MANDATORY," it reads.
Some people filmed from balconies and rooftops to capture the people that flooded the roads and sidewalks of the city.
Users online shared photos and videos in disbelief of the large turnout that had shown up to demonstrate their support.
"Kitchener! My hometown! BLM protest today! I didn't even think this many people lived in tiny Kitchener," one user tweeted.
Protests against police brutality have been gaining traction throughout Canada this past week as the public responds to the death of Regis Korchinski-Paquet, George Floyd, and others who have lost their lives during encounters with police.
"BLM rally and march in Kitchener today. I don't think I have ever seen such a large and enthusiastic protest in KW ever," someone wrote.
Toronto also held a protest on Saturday, with similar peaceful marching observed.
Although COVID-19 precautions have been attempted, health officials are asking protestors to pay attention to if they are developing symptoms.
More solidarity events have been planned on Friday in Ottawa and on Saturday in Guelph.
Some businesses in Toronto have been seen boarding up their storefront windows this week ahead of rumoured additional rallies hitting the city this upcoming weekend.