On Saturday, February 28, Iranian Canadians and their allies gathered for one of their now-regular demonstrations, which have repeatedly drawn hundreds of thousands into Toronto’s streets. Though the rally had long been planned as a bi-weekly event, the mood shifted dramatically the night before when Trump declared war on the Islamic Republic following nuclear negotiations collapsing.
For weeks, chants of “Trump act now!” echoed through these protests, driven by repeated promises on his X account about incoming assistance. Overnight, in coordination with Israel, U.S. forces launched strikes targeting senior IRGC members and Khamenei’s bunker—immediately transforming the rally from desperation to jubilation.
When I arrived, urgency had turned celebratory. Iranians waved American flags and chanted, “Trump and Netanyahu, thank you, thank you!” They did not yet know how profoundly good the day would become.
From Yonge Street and 16th Avenue, an estimated minimum of 100,000 people marched toward Richmond Hill Public Library at Yonge and Major Mackenzie Drive. Along the route, participants of all ages and Iranian backgrounds unanimously expressed deep gratitude for Trump’s decisive action.
While some demonstrations elsewhere—such as those at the Israeli consulate—called for “No War With Iran,” few actual Iranians shared that view online. Iranians inside Iran had also taken to the streets in celebrations, with calls thanking Trump resonating across both the country and diaspora communities.
As many declared: this is not a war; it’s a rescue mission.
Hundreds of thousands of Iranian civilians have been murdered by their own government in recent months for demanding basic freedoms—a number far exceeding casualties from the recent 12-day conflict with Israel and certainly more than any likely to result from these targeted strikes. The chants of “Trump act now!” ceased abruptly when he acted, and Iranians are grateful.
They did not yet know how deeply grateful they would feel. By the time the march reached the stage, speculation about Khamenei’s fate intensified after his bunker was struck overnight. Then Israel confirmed: Ali Khamenei had died.
With internet service overwhelmed by the massive crowd, many could not check updates themselves. Speakers on stage announced the news, triggering an immediate eruption of joy—cheering, crying, calling loved ones, hugging friends, and breaking down in relief. The “Butcher of Tehran,” who had killed so many friends and relatives, was gone. Iran is now one step closer to freedom—closer than it has been in 47 years. Many described the day as Iran’s D-Day.
Celebrations will likely continue throughout the week, with demonstrations shifting focus to what comes next for Iran. The chosen opposition leader, Reza Pahlavi, is one step closer to returning and implementing his transitional plan to democracy. Iranians inside the country have been calling for him, and those in the diaspora are amplifying that demand. Upcoming rallies will center on demanding U.S. engagement with their selected leader—a movement already organizing overnight by planners behind these massive demonstrations.
It was a historic day for Iranians—but their battle continues until true freedom is achieved. The Iranian people fight a tyrannical Islamic regime that arrests women, crushes dissent, and kills protesters demanding freedom. Canada’s leaders must stop tiptoeing around dictators in Tehran and stand with those risking lives for democracy and human rights.
