Thousands of Iranian Canadians and their allies marched along Vancouver’s West Georgia Street in solidarity with demonstrators in Iran on Sunday. This event was part of a series of 11 protests held in the city during the weekend. At one juncture on Saturday, the downtown core saw seven simultaneous protests, according to police reports.
Among the demonstrations was a gathering of Kurdish Canadians outside the Vancouver Art Gallery, advocating for an end to violence against protestors in Iran. Kozad Vizheh, a Burnaby-based Kurdish Canadian, was among those present. Vizheh emphasized that downtown Vancouver has become the preferred location to voice their concerns as it is a central area where their message can be heard.
Acknowledging the impact of protests on the city, Vizheh stressed the importance of raising awareness about injustices and violence affecting communities globally. He emphasized the protesters’ commitment to peaceful and lawful demonstrations, recognizing Vancouver’s status as a democratic city and country.
In response to the heightened protest activity, the Vancouver Police Department deployed additional officers across the downtown area to ensure the safety of participants. Sergeant Steve Addison highlighted the right to assemble lawfully and express opinions peacefully, emphasizing the police presence at various protest sites throughout the city.
While most demonstrations were peaceful, police had to intervene to prevent physical altercations between groups outside the art gallery. The number of protests and participants surged over the weekend, with estimates initially suggesting 9,000 attendees at various rallies, later revised to over 15,000 on Sunday alone. More than 130 officers were mobilized for the 11 planned protests.
Political scientist Stewart Prest from the University of British Columbia noted that Vancouver’s diverse population often resonates with global events, driving local protest engagement. He pointed to international conflicts such as those in Iran and the U.S. as catalysts for increased protest activity in the city.
Despite the rising frequency of protests, the financial burden of policing them has also escalated. In 2024, Vancouver spent $2.9 million on protest policing, with a budget request of over $497 million for 2026, including additional funds for underfunded items like protest management. Prest emphasized that while costs are a concern, they should not overshadow the fundamental democratic right to protest.
Former B.C. solicitor general and ex-police chief Kash Heed raised concerns about the disproportionate burden on Vancouver taxpayers for protest policing costs, suggesting that federal assistance should be sought due to the international nature of many protest triggers. No major public safety incidents were reported during the weekend protests, with no arrests made.