AT A MEMORABLE GATHERING AT CHRISTIE PITS DIAMOND 3, PARTICIPANTS STOOD TOGETHER TO COMMEMORATE THE OCCASION AND ENSURE ITS HISTORIC LEGACY OF COMMUNITIES JOINING TOGETHER TO COMBAT RACISM AND HATE
Beneath a succulent ceiling of warn midsummer skies, City of Toronto Deputy Mayor Mike Colle hosted an event tonight at Christie Pits Park to commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the Christie Pits Riot, one of the worst outbreaks of ethnic violence and the largest race riot in Canadian history.
On August 16, 1933, violence broke out during a playoff softball game involving the mostly Jewish Harbord Playground team when members of a local Swastika club unveiled a swastika banner to cries of “Heil Hitler”, prompting their Italian teammates to answer the call and rally with the Jewish players to fight alongside them to seize the banner.
Tonight’s event at Christie Pits Diamond 3 featured a Softball Game with the Toronto Playgrounds Baseball Association (TPBA) and elected officials from all three levels of government.
City of Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow joined the lineup to throw out the ceremonial first pitch along with descendants from the riot who were in attendance.
Community members came together to enjoy the softball game, as well as music by the Toronto Klezmer Society, food, family activities and a Call to Action to Rally Against Racism.
To read more about the Christie Pits Riot and its historic legacy of fighting intolerance and racism in Toronto, please click on the following link: