Commemorating the 90th Anniversary of the Christie Pits Riot

The Christie Pits Riot on August 16th, 1933 remains one of the worst outbreaks of ethnic violence and the largest race riot in Canadian history with over 10,000 participants and spectators.

The event occurred during a period of increasing anti-Semitic and anti-immigrant tensions in pre-war Toronto and ignited during a playoff baseball game involving the predominantly Jewish Harbord Playground team. Members of a local Nazi club flew a homemade swastika banner to cries of “Heil Hitler.”

Violence broke out as the Jewish players and fans battled members of the Swastika Club in order to seize the banner. The Italian players who had been similarly persecuted as recent immigrants answered the call to rally with the Jewish players and fight alongside them.

To read more about the Christie Pits Riot and its historic legacy of fighting intolerance and racism in Toronto, please visit this website.

 Please join me for an event to mark the 90th Anniversary of the Christie Pits Riot to commemorate the occasion and ensure its historic legacy of communities joining to combat racism and hate.

The event will include Food, Music, Activities for Families, a Softball Game with Special Guests, and a Call to Action to Rally Against Racism.

Bring a lawn chair and a water canteen.

Date: Wednesday, August 16, 2023

Time: Gates Open for activities at 6:00 pm, Ceremony at 7:00 pm, First Pitch at 7:30 pm

Location: Christie Pits Park, south/west baseball diamond (750 Bloor St West)

RSVP below