Protesters topple statues of Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth in Canada
Many Canadian cities scrapped Canada Day events this year as anger grows over the discovery of unmarked graves at three residential schools in Canada for Indigenous children.
A defaced statue of Queen Victoria lies after being toppled during a rally, following the discovery of the remains of hundreds of children at former indigenous residential schools, outside the provincial legislature on Canada Day in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada July 1, 2021.
Protesters have toppled statues of Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II in the Canadian city of Winnipeg as anger grows over the discovery of the remains of hundreds of children in unmarked graves at former indigenous schools.
A crowd chanted "no pride in genocide" before pulling down the statues of the monarchs.
The action took place on Canada Day on Thursday, when traditionally celebrations take place across the country.
However, many cities scrapped events this year as the scandal over the indigenous children made Canadians confront their colonial history.
READ MORE: Explained: Canada’s 'cultural genocide' of Indigenous people
Almost 1,000 unmarked graves have been found at former residential schools in British Columbia and Saskatchewan that were mainly run by the Catholic Church and funded by the government.
For 165 years and as recently as 1996, the schools forcibly separated indigenous children from their families, subjecting them to malnourishment and physical and sexual abuse in what the Truth and Reconciliation Commission called "cultural genocide" in 2015.
There's now a generation with basically everything ever recorded at their finger tips. People learning about history will lead to a confrontation with statues, beliefs, etc. Events in Canada and with the BLM, are only the start.
— Dylan O'Connell (@JudgeDyl) July 3, 2021
In Winnipeg, a crowd cheered as Queen Victoria's statue fell outside the Manitoba provincial legislature. Protesters, many of whom wore orange clothing, also kicked the toppled statue and danced around it. The pedestal and statue were daubed in red paint hand marks.
A nearby statue of Queen Elizabeth was also pulled down. She is Canada's current head of state, while Victoria reigned from 1837 to 1901 when Canada was part of the British Empire.
Protests in support of the indigenous children also took place on Thursday in Toronto, Canada's financial hub, while a #CancelCanadaDay march in the capital Ottawa drew thousands in support of victims and survivors of the residential school system.
READ MORE: Canada Day celebrations muted as country reckons with dark colonial past
Vigils and rallies were held across other parts of the country. Many participants wore orange clothing, which has become the symbol of the movement.
In his Canada Day message, Trudeau said the discoveries of the remains of the children at the former schools "have rightfully pressed us to reflect on our country's historical failures.” Injustices still exist for indigenous peoples and many others in Canada, he said.
A spokesman for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the government condemned any defacing of statues of the queen.
"Our thoughts are with Canada's indigenous community following these tragic discoveries, and we follow these issues closely and continue to engage with the Government of Canada on indigenous matters," he said.
READ MORE: More graves found at another Church-run indigenous school in Canada
Trudeau denounces vandalisms
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau denounced the wave of vandalism across Canada.
"It is unacceptable and wrong that acts of vandalism and arson are being seen across the country, including against Catholic churches," Trudeau told a news conference.
"I understand the anger that's out there, against the federal government, against institutions like the Catholic Church," he said.
"It is real, and it is fully understandable given the shameful history" of Canada's indigenous residential schools, he said.
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