View source for Protests in Canada against the Sri Lankan civil war

{{Short description|Anti-war demonstrations, chiefly by the Tamil diaspora in major Canadian cities}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=October 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox Civil Conflict
| title         = Protests in Canada against the Sri Lankan Civil War
| partof        = [[Protests against the Sri Lankan civil war|Protests against the Sri Lankan Civil War]]
| image         = [[File:Ottawa Tamil Protest 1.jpg|220px]]
| caption       = Protesters at [[Parliament Hill]] in [[Ottawa]], Ontario, Canada
| place = [[Toronto]] and [[Ottawa]], [[Ontario]], Canada
| date          = January 28, 2009 <ref name="thestar.com" /> — October 13, 2009 <ref name = "TS Oct Help" />
| status        =
| goals         = End the [[Sri Lankan civil war|Sri Lankan Civil War]], restore civil rights for [[Sri Lankan Tamil people|Tamils in Sri Lanka]], and investigate [[Alleged war crimes during the Sri Lankan Civil War|war crimes by Sri Lanka]]
| methods       = [[Non violent protest]], [[student protest]], [[Occupation (protest)|occupation]], [[sit-in]], [[Demonstration (people)|demonstration]], [[Internet activism]], [[human chain (politics)|human chain]], [[hunger strike]]
| injuries      =
| fatalities    =
}}
'''Protests in Canada against the Sri Lankan Civil War''', often referred to as the '''Tamil protests''' by the media, consisted of a series of [[Demonstration (people)|demonstrations]] which took place in [[List of cities in Canada|major Canadian cities]] with a significant [[Tamil diaspora]] population during the year 2009 protesting the alleged [[genocide]] of [[Sri Lankan Tamil people]] in the [[Northern Province, Sri Lanka|Northern Province]] and [[Eastern Province, Sri Lanka|Eastern Province]] of the island nation [[Sri Lanka]]. It was part of a [[Protests against the Sri Lankan civil war|global outcry]] by the Tamil diaspora to end the [[Sri Lankan civil war|Sri Lankan Civil War]], investigate acts of [[Alleged war crimes during the Sri Lankan Civil War|war crimes by the Government of Sri Lanka]], and restore civil rights for Tamils in Sri Lanka. The aim was also to create awareness and appeal to leaders, notably the [[Prime Minister of Canada]], [[Stephen Harper]], the President of the United States, [[Barack Obama]] and the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Canada, Bandula Jayasekara, to take action in ending the conflict. Several [[Tamil Canadian]] citizens and business owners from different parts of Canada and the United States took part in major protests set up in Toronto and [[Ottawa]], while smaller scale demonstrations took place in [[Montreal]], [[Vancouver]] and [[Calgary]].
The first notable demonstration took place on 28 January 2009 in front of the Sri Lankan Consulate in Toronto involving a few hundred people. The following day, several thousands gathered in front of the Consulate of the United States in Toronto to appeal to the [[Government of the United States]] to take action on ending the civil war. A {{convert|5|km|mi|adj=on|abbr=off}} [[human chain (politics)|human chain]] of several thousands of citizens took place the next day along major streets in [[Downtown Toronto]]. There after, demonstrations began to escalate in size and occurred on [[Parliament Hill]] in Ottawa for some
time, until returning to continue in Toronto. Other tactics by protesters included [[sit-in]]s, [[hunger strike]]s, [[Internet activism]] and [[occupation (protest)|occupation]] of major streets.
==Major events==
===Early demonstrations===
[[File:UofTtamilprotest.JPG|thumb|right|Tamil students conduct a hunger strike at the [[University of Toronto Scarborough]] on 27 January 2009]]
In the [[Greater Toronto Area]], local Tamil communities and organizations began to set up demonstrations by January 2009, following similar movements in the United Kingdom and India regarding the large civilian casualties from the Sri Lankan Civil War. Tamil Student Associations at the [[University of Toronto]] and [[Toronto Metropolitan University|Ryerson University]] staged demonstrations on campus to promote awareness of the ethnic conflict to fellow students. During the week of 25 January, several Tamil media outlets announced a strike, requesting all [[Tamil people|Tamils]] to not attend work or school during the week and take part in the protests that would happen in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/579834 | work=The Star | location=Toronto | title=Tamils protest 'genocide' | date=30 January 2009 | access-date=23 April 2010 | archive-date=18 July 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090718134114/http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/579834 | url-status=live }}</ref>
On 28 January, several Tamils gathered in front of the Consulate of Sri Lanka in Toronto to protest, with hopes to meet the consulate general. However, the consulate general, [[Bandula Jayasekara]], reportedly termed the protesters as "terrorists" and refused to admit them.<ref name="thestar.com">{{cite news | url=https://www.thestar.com/article/578360 | work=The Star | location=Toronto | title=They are killing innocent people | first1=Raveena | last1=Aulakh | date=28 January 2009 | access-date=23 April 2010 | archive-date=14 November 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114102803/http://www.thestar.com/article/578360 | url-status=live }}</ref> The protest resumed until the evening. The following day, 29 January, several protesters gathered in front of the Consulate of the United States throughout the day, appealing to the consulate general of the United States to pressure its government to take an action on ending the war.
The next demonstration took the form of a human chain on 30 January in Downtown Toronto, comprising thousands of protesters along parts of [[Yonge Street (Toronto)|Yonge Street]], [[Front Street (Toronto)|Front Street]] and [[University Avenue (Toronto)|University Avenue]].<ref name="toronto.ctv.ca">{{cite web |url=https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/tamils-forms-human-chain-in-downtown-t-o-1.365722 |title=CTV Toronto – Tamils forms human chain in downtown T.O. – CTV News |publisher=Toronto.ctv.ca |date=30 January 2009 |access-date=4 October 2011 |archive-date=18 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118124613/https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/tamils-forms-human-chain-in-downtown-t-o-1.365722 |url-status=live }}</ref> Slogans such as "We want justice", "Sri Lanka, end the war" and "Canada help us" were chanted by the protesters across the streets. According to a [[Toronto Police Service]] spokesperson, "the protest took place in a very peaceful and orderly manner."<ref name="toronto.ctv.ca" />
===Parliament Hill protests===
The first major protest in Ottawa, the capital city of Canada, took place on 4 February 2009 at Parliament Hill in an effort to attract the attention of Canada's parliament members. Thousands of Tamils gathered in front of the [[Peace Tower]], subsequently drawing out a few politicians from inside, notably [[Bev Oda]] and [[New Democratic Party (Canada)|New Democratic Party]] (NDP) leader [[Jack Layton]]. Layton announced that he would call parliament to an emergency debate at the [[House of Commons of Canada|House of Commons]]. Oda announced that the government would provide financial aid to the affected civilians, with the help of [[World Vision]] and [[Médecins Sans Frontières]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=79&artid=28321 |title=06.02.09 Emergency session of Canadian parliament discusses ceasefire, political solution |publisher=TamilNet |date=6 February 2009 |access-date=4 October 2011 |archive-date=16 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111116032706/http://tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=79&artid=28321 |url-status=live }}</ref>
On 6 April 2009, a non-stop, continuous demonstration began at Parliament Hill, organized by Tamil Student Associations and the [[Canadian Tamil Congress]]. The protest, similar to non-stop demonstrations that were contemporaneously held elsewhere in the world, such as [[London]] and [[Sydney]], saw bus-loads of protesters joining. [[Ottawa Police Service]], [[Ontario Provincial Police]] (OPP) and the [[Royal Canadian Mounted Police]] (RCMP) oversaw the protests, which were deemed "peaceful."<ref>{{cite web |author=George Abraham, international affairs analyst, in Ottawa |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/focus/2009/04/200942173257951156.html |title=Tamils try to pressure Ottawa – Focus |publisher=Al Jazeera English |access-date=7 November 2011 |archive-date=6 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110206225054/http://english.aljazeera.net/focus/2009/04/200942173257951156.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 7 April 2009, [[Albert Street (Ottawa)|Albert Street]] was blocked when Tamil demonstrators surrounded a [[Société de transport de l'Outaouais]] bus in the intersection at [[Elgin Street (Ottawa)|Elgin Street]], which caused major detours of transit buses.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/Tamil+Traffic/1477251/story.html |title=Tamil-Traffic.JPG |access-date=4 October 2018 |archive-date=17 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190217030359/http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Tamil+Traffic/1477251/story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> As of 20 April, the non-stop protest took its fourteenth consecutive day. A few streets in the vicinity of Parliament Hill had closed down to make way for demonstrators. The protest was the decision by several Tamil organizations after the Government of Sri Lanka ruled out a ceasefire and allegedly forced an attack in Northern Sri Lanka with an unknown [[chemical warfare]] substance, claiming the lives of nearly 2,000 civilians.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=28969 |title=07.04.09 Colombo uses chemical weapons: LTTE |publisher=TamilNet |date=7 April 2009 |access-date=4 October 2011 |archive-date=19 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119202950/https://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=28969 |url-status=live }}</ref> Five protesters of varying ages also began [[fasting|fast-unto-death]] hunger strikes, but were forced to end ten days later due to deteriorating health.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hunger strike ends, but Tamil numbers could swell to 25,000|date=19 April 2009|url=https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/hunger-strike-ends-but-tamil-numbers-could-swell-to-25-000-1.390834|publisher=ctvottawa.ca|access-date=23 October 2011|archive-date=18 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118122755/https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/hunger-strike-ends-but-tamil-numbers-could-swell-to-25-000-1.390834|url-status=live}}</ref> The protest was expected to continue until the [[Government of Canada]] forced negotiations with the Government of Sri Lanka.
After a climactic protest with an estimated 30,000 protesters at Parliament Hill on 21 April, the "non-stop protest" in Ottawa came to an end.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/more-than-30-000-tamil-supporters-descend-on-parliament-hill-1.793949 |title=More than 30,000 Tamil supporters descend on Parliament Hill – Ottawa – CBC News |publisher=CBC |location=Canada |date=21 April 2009 |access-date=7 November 2011 |archive-date=5 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105082918/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/story/2009/04/21/ot-090421-tamil-ottawa-demonstration.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Ottawa City Council]]lor [[Eli El-Chantiry]] announced the policing costs for the protest to be nearly [[Canadian dollar|C$]]800,000 which the federal government was expected to pay.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/payment-plea-for-tamil-protest-costs-ignored-1.918179 |title=Payment plea for Tamil protest costs ignored – Canada – CBC News |publisher=CBC |location=Canada |date=3 August 2010 |access-date=7 November 2011 |archive-date=12 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130912013137/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2010/07/29/ottawa-tamil-protest-costs-public-safety.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
===University Avenue sit-ins===
[[File:Tamil protest on University Avenue.jpg|left|thumb|Protesters occupying University Avenue in Toronto on 29 April 2009]]
A week after the non-stop protests in Ottawa ended, non-stop protests began on the evening of 26 April in front of the Consulate of the United States in Toronto, urging Barack Obama to call for an immediate permanent ceasefire. Protesters sat down on University Avenue, occupying a large portion of the street.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/t-o-tamil-protest-to-last-into-morning-rush-hour-1.393040 |title=CTV Toronto – T.O. Tamil protest to last into morning rush hour – CTV News |publisher=Toronto.ctv.ca |date=27 April 2009 |access-date=4 October 2011 |archive-date=8 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308103031/http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/t-o-tamil-protest-to-last-into-morning-rush-hour-1.393040 |url-status=live }}</ref> On the third day of the non-stop protest (29 April), fifteen arrests were made while one woman was injured after a brief scuffle with police. This incident was the first one to happen among these protests in Canada.<ref>{{cite news|title=  Peace ends, 15 arrested at Tamil protest|url=https://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/626630|work=The Star|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090503231453/http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/626630|archive-date=3 May 2009|url-status=live|access-date=2 June 2009 | location=Toronto | first=Robyn | last=Doolittle | date=30 April 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/police-make-15-arrests-at-tamil-protest-downtown-1.394164 |title=CTV Toronto – Police make 15 arrests at Tamil protest downtown – CTV News |publisher=Toronto.ctv.ca |date=29 April 2009 |access-date=4 October 2011 |archive-date=8 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308064540/http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/police-make-15-arrests-at-tamil-protest-downtown-1.394164 |url-status=live }}</ref> The protests later shifted to [[Queen's Park (Toronto)|Queen's Park]] with a diminished number of protesters.
Another major human chain, which was expected to occur 5 May, was abruptly postponed the previous night by organizers because of the impact of previous demonstrations.<ref>{{cite news|title= &#124; GTA &#124; Tamil community gears up for protest <!-- BOT GENERATED TITLE -->|url=https://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/628458|work=The Star|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090507153351/http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/628458|archive-date=7 May 2009|url-status=live|access-date=2 June 2009 | location=Toronto | first=Trish | last=Crawford | date=4 May 2009}}</ref> The cancellation was reported throughout Facebook, Twitter, Tamil television and radio stations and [[word of mouth]]. Some thought the cancellation was because of the recent [[2009 swine flu outbreak in Canada|swine flu outbreak]].<ref>{{cite news|title=  Tamils cancel human chain|url=https://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/629035|work=The Star|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090513144427/http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/629035|archive-date=13 May 2009|url-status=live|access-date=2 June 2009 | location=Toronto | first=Robyn | last=Doolittle | date=5 May 2009}}</ref> The postponed human chain demonstration instead took place on 9 May through Downtown Toronto, reminiscent of the one that occurred on 30 January.<ref>{{cite news|title=  Tamils march for their families|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/631969|work=The Star|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090514040227/http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/631969|archive-date=14 May 2009|url-status=live|access-date=2 June 2009 | location=Toronto | first=Iain | last=Marlow | date=10 May 2009}}</ref>
===Gardiner Expressway blockade===
[[File:Tamil protest blocks Gardiner Expressway.jpg|thumb|right|Protesters blocking vehicular traffic on the Gardiner Expressway on 10 May 2009]]
On 10 May, an immediate vigil and protest was launched in light of international reports of the [[Shell (projectile)|shelling]] of Tamil civilians in the [[Sri Lanka Army]]-declared safe zone in which 378 civilians had been killed, while protesters claimed it to be nearly 3,000.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/news/local/article/10612--gardiner-expressway-reopens-following-massive-tamil-protest |title=Gardiner Expressway Reopens Following Massive Tamil Protest – CityNews |publisher=Citytv.com |access-date=7 November 2011 |archive-date=20 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110820233706/http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/news/local/article/10612--gardiner-expressway-reopens-following-massive-tamil-protest |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/un-decries-latest-barrage-in-sri-lanka-as-bloodbath-1.795039 | work=CBC News | title=UN decries latest barrage in Sri Lanka as 'bloodbath' | date=11 May 2009| access-date=12 May 2009 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090514060203/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/un-decries-latest-barrage-in-sri-lanka-as-bloodbath-1.795039| archive-date= 14 May 2009| url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/up-to-1-000-reported-killed-in-sri-lanka-shelling-1.397622 |title=Up to 1,000 reported killed in Sri Lanka shelling – CTV News |publisher=Ctv.ca |date=11 May 2009 |access-date=4 October 2011 |archive-date=19 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019181212/http://www.ctvnews.ca/up-to-1-000-reported-killed-in-sri-lanka-shelling-1.397622 |url-status=live }}</ref> The protest began on [[Spadina Avenue (Toronto)|Spadina Avenue]] but abruptly spread past police cordons onto the [[Gardiner Expressway]], a busy freeway in the city, bringing all vehicular traffic to a halt. The protesters, including women and children in strollers, said they would not stop blocking the Gardiner Expressway until they met with a representative from Premier Dalton McGuinty's office and got a promise for a clear course of action to stop the civil war in Sri Lanka. Police subsequently shut down the Gardiner Expressway and Toronto's [[Don Valley Parkway]], causing heavy traffic congestions throughout other Toronto streets and highways.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/tamil-protesters-leave-toronto-highway-1.397447 |title=CTV Toronto – Tamil protesters leave Toronto highway – CTV News |publisher=Toronto.ctv.ca |date=11 May 2009 |access-date=4 October 2011 |archive-date=6 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006222004/http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/tamil-protesters-leave-toronto-highway-1.397447 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite news|title=  Tamil protest moves off Gardiner to Queen's Park|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/632136|work=The Star|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090514062449/http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/632136|archive-date=14 May 2009|url-status=live|access-date=2 June 2009 | location=Toronto | first1=Iain | last1=Marlow | first2=Henry | last2=Stancu | first3=Nicole | last3=Baute | date=10 May 2009}}</ref>
[[York Regional Police]], [[Peel Regional Police]] and the OPP were called in for back-up policing. It was the first time a major highway was unlawfully occupied in the city. [[CP24]] aired the protest live as [[breaking news]] coverage throughout the evening. The protest continued throughout the night, demanding an immediate response to the latest casualties in Sri Lanka. The highway was cleared and reopened after a message from the [[Liberal Party of Canada]] stated that they would make a statement on the issue soon. Three individuals were arrested during the protest for assaulting a police officer while on duty.<ref name="ReferenceA" />
The next day, peaceful protests continued in front of the Consulate of Sri Lanka on the sidewalk of Spadina Avenue and at Queen's Park simultaneously. York Regional Police, Peel Regional Police, the OPP and the RCMP continued to help Toronto Police Service to prevent civil disobedience such as what had happened the previous night. [[List of mayors of Toronto|Toronto Mayor]] [[David Miller (Canadian politician)|David Miller]] urged that such tactics as blockading the Gardiner Expressway not be used again. Police officials decried the use of children during such dangerous tactics.<ref name="karygiannismp.com">{{cite web|title=CITY: Mayor calls Tamils 'wrong' for overtaking Gardiner Tamil protests continue <!-- BOT GENERATED TITLE -->|url=http://www.karygiannismp.com/spip/article.php3?id_article=1101|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822100223/http://www.karygiannismp.com/spip/article.php3?id_article=1101|archive-date=22 August 2009|url-status=live|access-date=2 June 2009}}</ref>
===Queen's Park rally===
On 13 May several thousands of protesters crowded in front of Queen's Park protesting another offensive by the Sri Lanka Army, resulting in a situation which was termed by the United Nations as a "bloodbath."<ref name="http">{{cite news|title=  Tamil protest winds down peacefully|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/633549|work=The Star|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090518143807/http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/633549|archive-date=18 May 2009|url-status=live|access-date=2 June 2009 | location=Toronto | date=13 May 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thestar.com/article/632289 | work=The Star | location=Toronto | title=Sri Lanka 'bloodbath' a reality, says UN | first=Ravi | last=Nessman | date=11 May 2009 | access-date=23 April 2010 | archive-date=21 June 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090621093028/http://www.thestar.com/article/632289 | url-status=live }}</ref> Traffic was blocked and police forces with [[riot control]] mounted on horses were present. After demonstrations took place at Queen's Park, the protesters flooded portions of [[College Street (Toronto)|College Street]], Yonge Street, [[Queen Street West|Queen Street]] and University Avenue for a march. The immediate demands of the protest were to call for an immediate permanent ceasefire, allow media and journalists into the warzone and to place diplomatic sanctions on Sri Lanka.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/peaceful-passionate-tamil-protest-takes-to-streets-1.398345 |title=CTV Toronto – Peaceful, passionate Tamil protest takes to streets – CTV News |publisher=Toronto.ctv.ca |date=13 May 2009 |access-date=4 October 2011 |archive-date=18 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118122737/https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/peaceful-passionate-tamil-protest-takes-to-streets-1.398345 |url-status=live }}</ref> The protesters also ran a food drive, asking for non-perishable food items. David Miller attended the protest and remarked, "some people would probably be offended by the flag and afraid to show their support for these people, but I'm not here about politics."<ref name="cbc.ca" /> The very same day, Barack Obama made a statement on the Sri Lankan Civil War, calling upon the Sri Lanka Army and the [[Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam]] (LTTE) to stop the "bloodbath" and to stop the use of human shields.<ref name="ReferenceB">{{cite news|title= Obama: Sri Lanka must end warfare|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/633906|work=The Star|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090515003827/http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/633906|archive-date=15 May 2009|url-status=live|access-date=2 June 2009 | location=Toronto | date=13 May 2009}}</ref>
Toronto's [[Sinhalese people|Sinhalese]] community set up a counter-demonstration, condemning the Tamil protesters.<ref name="http" /> The counter-protesters flew a private airplane with a banner attached to it reading "Protect Canada – Stop the Tamil Tigers", circling Queen's Park for some time.<ref name="cbc.ca">{{cite news|title=Tamils crowd downtown Toronto streets in latest protest <!-- BOT GENERATED TITLE -->|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/tamils-crowd-downtown-toronto-streets-in-latest-protest-1.777323|work=CBC News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090516182300/http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2009/05/13/tamil-wednesday.html|archive-date=16 May 2009|url-status=live|access-date=2 June 2009 | date=13 May 2009}}</ref> In May 2009, a Sinhala-Buddhist temple in Scarborough was set on fire, allegedly by LTTE supporters, and a worshipper claimed that the incident was part of a global pattern of violence against Sinhalese wherever there were mass Tamil demonstrations. However, a Tamil protest leader denied that anyone in her community would resort to such action.<ref name="cbc">{{cite news |title=Worshippers blame Toronto temple arson on Tamil Tiger supporters |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/worshippers-blame-toronto-temple-arson-on-tamil-tiger-supporters-1.789662 |access-date=28 February 2023 |agency=CBC |date=16 May 2009}}</ref>
==Post-civil war==
After the march from Queen's Park, protests continued in front of the Consulate of the United States in Toronto, even after Sri Lankan president [[Mahinda Rajapakse]] declared a victory over the LTTE on 17 May, which officially marked the end of the Sri Lankan Civil War.<ref>{{cite news|title=Military defeat over rebel stronghold won't quell violence: Tamil protesters <!-- BOT GENERATED TITLE -->|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/military-defeat-over-rebel-stronghold-won-t-quell-violence-tamil-protesters-1.800485|work=CBC News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090520074112/http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2009/05/16/tamils-protest-toronto.html|archive-date=20 May 2009|url-status=live|access-date=2 June 2009 | date=16 May 2009}}</ref> Post-civil war, the goal of the protests was to ensure peace and better treatment of Tamil civilians and investigate war crimes by the Government of Sri Lanka.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web |url=https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/tamil-canadians-react-to-war-s-end-in-sri-lanka-1.399481 |title=CTV Toronto – Tamil Canadians react to war's end in Sri Lanka – CTV News |publisher=Toronto.ctv.ca |date=17 May 2009 |access-date=4 October 2011 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304025642/http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/tamil-canadians-react-to-war-s-end-in-sri-lanka-1.399481 |url-status=live }}</ref> Protests also continuously happened in front of the Consulate of the United States in Montreal.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/tamils-supporters-hold-protest-downtown-1.399016 |title=CTV Montreal – Tamils, supporters hold protest downtown – CTV News |publisher=Montreal.ctv.ca |date=15 May 2009 |access-date=4 October 2011 |archive-date=18 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118123756/https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/tamils-supporters-hold-protest-downtown-1.399016 |url-status=live }}</ref> Protesters held non-stop protests, urging Stephen Harper, who had not yet given any remarks on protests, to make a statement on the issue and request immediate humanitarian aid to be sent to the island nation.<ref name=autogenerated1 /> The Canadian Tamil Congress urged the [[European Union]] for a unanimous investigation of war crimes. [[Minister of Foreign Affairs (Canada)|Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs]] [[Lawrence Cannon]] reflected by announcing that "Canada would work with the United States helping the United Nations deliver humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/tamil-canadians-want-ottawa-to-press-sri-lanka-1.399964 |title=CTV Toronto – Tamil Canadians want Ottawa to press Sri Lanka – CTV News |publisher=Toronto.ctv.ca |date=19 May 2009 |access-date=4 October 2011 |archive-date=22 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170422030340/http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/tamil-canadians-want-ottawa-to-press-sri-lanka-1.399964 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the meantime, Toronto's Sinhalese community continued to hold counter-Tamil protests, claiming that they were in danger by the LTTE.
Throughout the remainder of 2009, the protests continued but became smaller as attendance decreased to about two dozen at most, happening only in front of the Consulate of the United States on University Avenue, and only during the daytime. On the 150th day, petitions were given out to protesters to sign, as they were in many other Tamil diaspora demonstrations around the world, and given to a guard at the Consulate of the United States. As of 13 October, the protest had reached its 173rd day.<ref name = "TS Oct Help">{{cite news | url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/708663--toronto-tamils-we-are-people-asking-for-help | work=The Star | location=Toronto | title=Toronto Tamils: 'We are people asking for help' | first=Jim | last=Rankin | date=11 October 2009 | access-date=23 April 2010 | archive-date=14 October 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091014134235/http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/708663--toronto-tamils-we-are-people-asking-for-help | url-status=live }}</ref>
==Impact==
===Canadian government response===
During the first Parliament Hill protest in Ottawa, Jack Layton had called for an emergency debate on 4 February, gathering all members of parliament at the House of Commons.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=79&artid=28321 |title=Emergency session of Canadian parliament discusses ceasefire, political solution |publisher=Tamilnet.com |date=6 February 2009 |access-date=7 November 2011 |archive-date=16 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111116032706/http://tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=79&artid=28321 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=40&Ses=2&DocId=3645216#SOB-2582078 |title=40th PARLIAMENT, 2nd SESSION |publisher=.parl.gc.ca |access-date=7 November 2011 |archive-date=8 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008171158/http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?DocId=3645216&Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=40&Ses=2#SOB-2582078 |url-status=live }}</ref> It had occurred despite the absence of Prime Minister Stephen Harper. A few members of parliament, such as [[John McCallum]] and [[Rob Oliphant|Robert Oliphant]], brought up concerns of whether the aid the government sends, which was announced to be [[Canadian dollar|C$]]3 million, would successfully reach the affected civilians or not. Canada's [[Minister of State]] for the Americas [[Peter Kent]], in an argument, suggested that extortions and funds underlying of the LTTE may still be present in Toronto. Immediately, Liberal member of parliament [[Jim Karygiannis]] assured that there were no cases of such extortions in recent times after phoning a few national security agencies. Kent reflected back, saying that both the LTTE and the Sri Lanka Army must drop their weapons in order for the war to end. Karygiannis stated that the wish of his constituency, [[Scarborough—Agincourt (federal electoral district)|Scarborough—Agincourt]], was that the ceasefire should not be initiated by the Government of Sri Lanka or by the [[Government of India]] but should be a United Nations-initiated, internationally sponsored ceasefire. Liberal member of parliament [[Irwin Cotler]] condemned Sri Lanka's restrictions on international humanitarian aid, journalists and media to reach the affected areas of northern Sri Lanka, which has been in place for several years. He suggested to bring forth an immediate ceasefire and begin negotiation talks. The United Nations, too, were condemned for not taking an active part in ending the civil war. [[Deepak Obhrai]], a [[Conservative Party of Canada|Conservative]] member of parliament, was the only member to label the LTTE at fault, referring to the [[Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi|assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=40&Ses=2&DocId=3645216#SOB-2582078 |title=Official Report * Table of Contents * Number 008 (Official Version) |publisher=.parl.gc.ca |access-date=4 October 2011 |archive-date=8 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008171158/http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?DocId=3645216&Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=40&Ses=2#SOB-2582078 |url-status=live }}</ref>
A final report from the debate outlined four recommendations of action:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ndp.ca/press/jack-layton-speaks-to-tamil-hunger-striker |title=Jack Layton speaks to Tamil hunger striker |publisher=Ndp.ca |date=14 May 2009 |access-date=7 November 2011 |archive-date=4 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111104194039/http://www.ndp.ca/press/jack-layton-speaks-to-tamil-hunger-striker |url-status=live }}</ref>
# The Government of Canada should continue to call upon all parties in Sri Lanka to immediately cease fire and end hostilities.
# The Government of Canada should redouble its efforts in cooperation with other states to meet the humanitarian needs of all civilians in northeastern Sri Lanka, including those still in the combat zone and those in [[internally displaced persons|IDP]] camps, by securing a sufficient humanitarian pause and through international supervision of assistance.
# The Government of Canada should stand ready to increase Canadian assistance to Sri Lanka in collaboration with other partners, as on-the-ground assessments and capacity to absorb warrant, not only for relief purposes but also for development and reconstruction. In addition to ensuring that assistance reaches those who need it most, the government should pursue a whole-of-government strategy to ensure that Canadian assistance of all sorts encourages longer-term reconciliation among communities in Sri Lanka.
# The Government of Canada should call on the [[United Nations Security Council]] to seriously engage itself in the resolution of the conflict in Sri Lanka, and to investigate the conduct of both parties during the conflict with respect to international law. The Government of Canada should also initiate a dialogue with the Government of Sri Lanka, in conjunction with the international community, aimed at laying the groundwork for a political reconciliation between the communities. If these efforts fail, the Government of Canada should consider financial and diplomatic sanctions, including, but not limited to, advocating for Sri Lanka's suspension from [[Commonwealth of Nations|the Commonwealth]], as well as incentives.
===Other political remarks===
[[File:Toronto police confront Tamil protesters blocking Gardiner Expressway.jpg|thumb|right|Police officers prepare to confront protesters on the Gardiner Expressway]]
During the non-stop protests in Ottawa, Lawrence Cannon requested the Government of Sri Lanka for an immediate ceasefire. He also rejected calls from the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Canada to stop all protests in Ottawa. Cannon condemned the LTTE for preventing civilians from leaving areas being attacked and using them as [[human shield]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/tamil-protest-in-downtown-ottawa-enters-second-week-1.389259 |title=CTV Ottawa- Tamil protest in downtown Ottawa enters second week – CTV News |date=14 April 2009 |publisher=Ottawa.ctv.ca |access-date=4 October 2011 |archive-date=19 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019175558/http://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/tamil-protest-in-downtown-ottawa-enters-second-week-1.389259 |url-status=live }}</ref> Bev Oda and the Conservative Party of Canada both condemned the use of LTTE flags, insisting that they symbolize connection with a terrorist organization.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20090511/090511_tamil_protest/20090511/?hub=CP24Home |title=Red Tamil flags at protests don't represent terrorist group, demonstrators say |publisher=CP24 |date=11 May 2009 |access-date=4 October 2011 |archive-date=3 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003061112/http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20090511/090511_tamil_protest/20090511/?hub=CP24Home |url-status=live }}</ref> David Miller and Ontario Premier [[Dalton McGuinty]] also condemned the [[Gardiner Expressway]] blockade.<ref>{{cite news|title=  Tamil groups threaten more blockades|url=https://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/632277|work=The Star|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090514061332/http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/632277|archive-date=14 May 2009|url-status=live|access-date=2 June 2009 | location=Toronto | first1=Kenyon | last1=Wallace | first2=John | last2=Spears | first3=Les | last3=Whittington | date=11 May 2009}}</ref> Liberal Party of Canada leader [[Michael Ignatieff]] had made statements on the protests in a few occasions. Ignatieff urged the Harper government to break its silence and take initiative in condemning the violence. He stated that there are no military solutions to the conflict and that the war must stop under a worldwide initiative and internationally coordinated diplomatic strategy. On 21 April, Ignatieff met with a few Tamil leaders in Ottawa to discuss the humanitarian crisis. On the occasion, he said the following:
<blockquote>I am deeply concerned about escalating violence in Sri Lanka, and the resulting deaths of thousands of civilians. It was important for me to hear from Tamil Canadians, whose family and friends in Sri Lanka are suffering first hand from this crisis. We cannot sit back and watch as thousands of innocent lives are lost in the cross-fire, and we condemn any attempt to use civilians as human shields.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.liberal.ca/newsroom/news-release/michael-ignatieff-meets-with-members-of-tamil-community-calls-for-access-to-humanitarian-efforts-and-dialogue/ |title=Michael Ignatieff meets with members of Tamil community: calls for access to humanitarian efforts and dialogue |publisher=Liberal.ca |date=21 April 2009 |access-date=7 November 2011 |archive-date=5 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111105041701/http://www.liberal.ca/newsroom/news-release/michael-ignatieff-meets-with-members-of-tamil-community-calls-for-access-to-humanitarian-efforts-and-dialogue/ |url-status=live }}</ref></blockquote>
On 13 May in Washington, D.C., Barack Obama condemned the civil war in Sri Lanka and the army's continuous shelling of safe-zones and shelters. He also condemned the use of civilians as human shields by the LTTE. Obama insisted that the civil war, which became a humanitarian crisis, could result in a "full-blown catastrophe." According to him, "the United States is ready to work towards ending the conflict."<ref name="ReferenceB" />
On 9 June, [[Bob Rae]] was denied entry into Sri Lanka by Sri Lankan immigration officials at [[Bandaranaike International Airport]] in [[Colombo]]. Although reasons for rejection were generally found unclear, the Government of Sri Lanka cited Rae was "a threat to national security and sympathetic to the Tamil Tigers rebel group". On the issue, Rae stated: "Sri Lanka is afraid of dialogue, afraid of discussion, afraid of engagement. If this is how they treat me, imagine how they treat people who can't speak out." Rae described Sri Lanka as "a very dangerous place to be a journalist" and that it is "a very dangerous place to be any kind of Tamil right now". The news sparked controversy for both Rae and Sri Lanka in Canada and made it to the headlines of newspapers in other countries.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/rae-dumbfounded-after-sri-lanka-denies-him-entry-1.776956 | title=Ottawa complains to Sri Lanka for booting Rae | work=CBC News | date=10 June 2009 | access-date=23 November 2009 | archive-date=28 May 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528115624/http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/rae-dumbfounded-after-sri-lanka-denies-him-entry-1.776956 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/rae-dumbfounded-after-sri-lanka-denies-him-entry-1.776956 | title=Rae 'dumbfounded' after Sri Lanka denies him entry | work=CBC News | date=10 June 2009 | access-date=23 November 2009 | archive-date=28 May 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528115624/http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/rae-dumbfounded-after-sri-lanka-denies-him-entry-1.776956 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=1681300|title=Bob Rae denied entry to Sri Lanka|access-date=23 November 2009|archive-date=7 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107220647/https://calgaryherald.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Public reception and criticism===
The protests have drawn criticism from some observers of the Sri Lankan Civil War. In an opinion piece titled "Misguided Tamil protesters" published by the ''[[National Post]]'', Martin Collacott, a former High Commissioner of Canada to Sri Lanka, questioned the objectives of the protesters. In the editorial, he insisted that if the primary concern of the protesters was the safety of Tamil civilians, they would have asked the LTTE to free those trapped in the war zone instead of using them as human shields. However, by asking for a ceasefire, he said, the protesters want to "bring about a situation that would allow the Tigers to preserve their fighting capability and prolong the insurgency." The article goes on to question why children who were born in Canada to native Sri Lankan parents were brought out to protests among others who were waving the flag of an organisation Canada has labelled a terrorist organization.<ref>{{cite web |first=Martin |last=Collacott |url=http://www.lankamission.org/content/view/2120/2/ |title=Misguided Tamil protesters |publisher=Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, Geneva, Switzerland |date=13 May 2009 |access-date=7 November 2011 |archive-date=4 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004221212/http://www.lankamission.org/content/view/2120/2/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==See also==
* [[Tamils Against Genocide]]
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==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Sri Lankan Civil War}}
[[Category:Sri Lankan civil war protests|Canada]]
[[Category:Tamil diaspora in Canada]]
[[Category:2009 in Canada]]
[[Category:Student protests in Canada]]
[[Category:Protests in Canada]]
[[Category:2009 protests]]
[[Category:Canada–Sri Lanka relations]]