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On September 20th, CCC members Alex, Aliza, Annie, Divya, Shaleena, Miranda, and Sunita took to the streets of Downtown Toronto for Draw The Line—a protest “for people, for peace, and for the planet” that saw tens of thousands of participants nationwide, and over 2,000 in Toronto alone. The rally lasted over two hours, starting at Yonge and Dundas and making its way towards Queen’s Park, where speakers on behalf of Palestine, Grassy Narrows and Indigenous rights, climate justice, migrants’ rights, and more ended with a powerful array of speeches.
While Draw The Line stirred deep emotions for many, every member wanted to share their perspective and experience—an honest glimpse into the moments that moved them, challenged them, and ultimately united them.
1. How many rallies have you attended before?
Alex: I’ve been to quite a few protests and rallies over the years. If you want to make a change, one of the most meaningful ways I believe is to put your body out there in the streets and make yourself seen and heard.
Aliza: I’ve been to a few rallies pertaining to social justice before, but this was my first one with a climate justice focus!
Annie: This was actually the first rally I've ever attended!
Miranda: At least five.
Divya: More than a handful.
Shaleena: This was my first rally.
Sunita: Only one.
2. Why did you attend the rally today? If you had the megaphone, what would you say to everyone?
Alex: I wanted to be at this protest because it was a joint effort of all the major issues facing the world today. The last few years I have been learning a lot about the plight of the Palestinian people and this protest included a demand to end wars. There can be no climate justice without social justice and an end to colonial oppression.
Aliza: I attended the rally because I think it is important to exercise our rights and freedoms to express dissatisfaction when the institutions that are meant to represent us are failing to do so. If I had the megaphone, I would probably want to say something to encourage everyone to continue fighting for what they believe in! It can be so easy to see what's in the news and feel like nothing we can do as individuals will help, but as long as we keep showing up and acting as a united front then at the very least people will be forced to listen and learn.
Annie: I attended Draw The Line today because I wanted to support The CCC and other rally members in this pivotal moment. It would've been super cool to have the megaphone! I didn't have a chance this time but it's possible there could be an opportunity next time.
Divya: I attended this time because the messaging, ‘Draw the Line: For People, For Peace, For the Planet’ really resonated with me and I wanted to feel connected to the mass movement of people who care about the same things I care about, and are willing to show up, yell, dance, sing, chant, and fight for the cause.
Miranda: We can't address the climate crisis if we can't do the bare minimum as global citizens and get along. Climate action must be a collective goal and yet we are allowing systems to divide us. The Canadian government has inadequately responded to the genocide happening in Palestine. They have an opportunity to be a global leader in peacemaking and instead are supporting war. The Canadian government has an opportunity to lead on the climate crisis and move to renewable energy yet we keep investing in fossil fuels. Misinformation and disinformation continues to polarize our communities, to a point where it has impacted us all personally. The division this has caused has only heightened lack of apathy in my opinion towards climate justice. The climate crisis is intensifying the very systems we depend on, driving more people to migrate as their homelands become increasingly unlivable. Meanwhile, the rising far-right fuels division and harmful rhetoric, creating unsafe conditions for immigrants. At the same time, the demand for renewable energy grows while pollution continues to rise—yet the Canadian government deepens its investments in fossil fuels.The recent passing of Bill C-5 enables the government to bypass critical environmental protections, weakening our ability to respond to these urgent challenges.
Shaleena: I joined to support the climate movement and represent the Peel Region alongside other Community Climate Council members. I also wanted to experience a rally. I used to shy away from any kind of political advocacy, but volunteering with The CCC showed me that it isn’t as scary as I thought it would be and it’s okay to not know where to start.
Sunita: I’ve been involved in a lot of environmental advocacy over the years, but not direct activism per se. I really wanted the chance to band together with other voices to fight for something I care deeply about. Plus, I found screaming at the top of my lungs to be kind of therapeutic! If I had the megaphone, I would probably mention how empowering and uplifting one another is crucial to achieving what we believe in, especially in a time where society is more divided than ever. I would probably build off of this by emphasizing how interconnected our issues are. It’s important to acknowledge that we are tired, we have been beaten down so many times, but remaining hopeful and stubborn is necessary not only for us, but for the planet and for the future.
3. What were your thoughts and feelings throughout the experience?
Alex: I always enjoy spending time with CCC members. You are all such kind, intelligent, and powerful voices!
Aliza: I ended up feeling very emotional throughout the entire rally. I was overwhelmed by how many people had shown up and made signs. It’s very hard to go online and feel empowered, especially when it feels like the loudest voices are those speaking against social justice and meaningful action against the climate crisis. However, being in that crowd was a reminder that there are people that care and the fight isn’t over! Additionally, I loved the variety in social justice issues that people were advocating for because it served as a reminder that these struggles are all interrelated and cannot be separated from the climate crisis. The same systems of oppression that justify the genocide of Palestinian people by the Israeli government also justify the contamination the freshwater sources on the Grassy Narrows reserve. It also justifies the mistreatment and harmful rhetoric against immigrants. Our current economic crisis cannot be understood without understanding our government’s decision to invest into fossil fuel and war machines, which actively work against people and the planet. I think the point I want to make is that the rally highlighted how these issues are deeply intertwined and they rely on each other to create complex structures of oppression and injustice.
Annie: I was expecting a few hundred people to show up to Draw The Line, but it turns out thousands of people ended up marching along with us! In my mind I've associated rallies with a very grim and serious atmosphere, yet it was surprisingly joyful. There was a whole line of people marching forward, playing jolly music, and lots of people were smiling. It was more of a celebration than a confrontation, honestly! It was also pretty cool seeing the police clear the streets for us and help make way. It was like the police, though mostly stationary, were marching along with us in spirit. When I joined The CCC, most of the members had backgrounds in environment or sustainability. I'm a math major so I felt a bit out of place initially, but truthfully, there was no need for me to feel self-conscious. This cause isn't exclusive to environment majors, as it really is all-encompassing and affects everybody. When I looked around at the rally, there was incredible diversity. People of all ethnicities, ages, and personalities came together. Who we are might be very different on the surface, but fundamentally, everybody is very passionate about climate change. Truthfully, climate activism isn’t just protest, it’s community and celebration open to all. Whether you guys are totally fresh to rallies, or seasoned like Miranda, Alex and Divya, there’s a place for you here. Walking through the streets, chanting, laughing, it’s nothing short of an invigorating experience. You’ll feel very alive during and after so don’t let anything hold you back from joining one!
Divya: I was really impressed that a ‘climate’ rally had done such a wonderful job of having a cross-sectional representation of interconnected, adjacent human rights and social justice issues, such as Indigenous sovereignty, migrant rights, workers and labour rights, and pro-Palestine. It was impressive to see the evolution of the climate movement and space, from the biggest climate rally in 2019—Fridays for Future—which was mainly environment-focused, to today’s transition to intersectionality. It acknowledged the need to repair our relationships with each other, as well as with nature by rebuilding our systems collectively.
Miranda: Honestly, I felt sad during the strike because it sometimes feels like no one is hearing our pleas, and there is so much to fight for. However, I left feeling unified and more powerful!
Shaleena: It was powerful to see so many passionate voices coming together to demand a sustainable future. This experience reminded me that climate action is deeply connected to every aspect of justice; economic, racial, and social. I also learned about other concerns that communities are facing such as Grassy Narrow—something I had no idea about. I’m excited to continue learning more about what climate advocacy looks like and what roles I can play in regards to it.
Sunita: I found it very inspirational to see so many people come together and support each other. There were a lot of causes being fought for at Draw The Line, but all of them were valued and equally prioritized. I was moved and a bit emotional near the end, especially when listening to some of the speeches. I would say I enjoyed the protest overall, although I wish there were a few more collective chants!
4. Any favourite chants or signs from today?
Aliza: My favourite chant will always be “the people united will never be defeated” because it’s so powerful and true! I loved all the signs; I think they all contributed meaningfully to the message of the rally.
Annie: There was a person dressed up in a skeleton costume, carrying a sign saying "Capitalism is a death cult”. I respect his creativity with dressing up in a disturbing visual.
Divya: I loved seeing many signs and hearing many chants that captured a shared sentiment: long live the resistance.
Miranda: Loved the ladies who had signs of birds with the species name on it!! Also “Be Gay, Smash Facism.”
Shaleena: I loved the sign that said, “Be Gay, Smash Facism.” It was hilarious and memorable.
Sunita: My favourite chant was probably “the people united will never be defeated”. It encompasses all the issues we’re fighting for and emphasizes collective action. I also really loved the painted bird signs including the species name that Seniors For Climate Action Now were holding up when we got to Queen’s Park.
As you read the CCC members’ reflections, we hope they echoed something within you—just as they did for the rest of us.
Let this be a reminder that you’re not alone in what you feel, believe, or hope for. We are many voices, but one purpose. And when we Draw The Line together, we don’t just resist—we reshape the future. Keep showing up. Keep speaking out. The movement is only as strong as the hearts behind it—and yours matters.
