Tennis protestors raise racket again Saturday, drive anti-immigration demonstrators away

A Canada First anti-immigration rally is met with counter-demonstrations Saturday afternoon at Halifax’s Grand Parade. Photo by GLENN MacDONALDArticle contentPro-Palestinian protestors couldn’t cancel the Davis Cup tie inside Scotiabank Centre but scored a point by driving away demonstrators rallying Saturday on Grand Parade against Canadian immigration policies.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentOrganized by Palestine Solidarity Halifax, hundreds of protestors marched in Halifax for a second straight day protesting Israel’s participation in the two-day tennis event against Canada.Article contentArticle contentArticle content Anti-immigration protestors face counter-demonstrators on the Grand Parade in Halifax on Saturday. – GLENN MacDONALD Photo by GLENN MacDONALDArticle contentInstead of marching through the streets of downtown Halifax as they did on Friday, they gathered on the Halifax Common near the Emera Oval on Saturday afternoon and marched around the Commons holding banners and Palestinian flags, beating drums while bellowing chants of Free Palestine.Article contentAfter completing the march, a few of the protestors joined counter-demonstrations against the nationalist Canada First rally near the Grand Parade Cenotaph.Article content Protestors organized by Palestine Solidarity Halifax complete the march around the Halifax Common on Saturday. – GLENN MacDONALD Photo by GLENN MacDONALDArticle contentAbout 20 people, some draped in the Canadian flag, gathered to advocate against immigration and undocumented workers.Article content“It’s all about the control of the immigrants,” one of the Canada First demonstrators, who didn’t provide his name, said. “They allowed too many in that are undocumented. It’s quite a gap. But it’s not just about immigration. We’re just getting fed up. Right across Canada, it’s the same thing.”Article contentArticle contentAlready outnumbered by a heavy police presence, the anti-immigration protestors were then drowned out by the counter-demonstrators with chants of “No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcomed here.”Article content The march continues from Robie Street onto Cunard Street in Halifax on Saturday afternoon. – GLENN MacDONALD Photo by GLENN MacDONALDArticle content“I was hoping for more (supporters),” the Canada First demonstrator said. “There’s more police than us.”Article contentWhen the Canada First group dispersed before 3 p.m., less than two hours after they arrived at Grand Parade, they were serenaded with “Na, na, na, na! Hey, hey, hey! Goodbye!”Article content“It’s a small victory,” one of the counter-demonstrators said.Article contentA much larger Canada First rally was held at Toronto’s Christie Pitts Park on Saturday and it too was met with counter-demonstrations. Six people from the competing immigration rallies were arrested, including one man for assault, police said.Article content Hundreds of protestors marched in Halifax for a second straight day protesting Israel’s participation in the two-day Davis Cup tie tennis event at Scotiabank Centre. – GLENN MacDONALD Photo by GLENN MacDONALDArticle contentAbout 300 metres from the Grand Parade, inside Scotiabank Centre, Canada wrapped up the Davis Cup tie with a 4-0 victory over Israel behind closed doors.