'Canada is very, very close': Iranian Canadians warn Toronto could face Paris-style unrest I attended the counter demonstration and spoke with Iranian Canadians who expressed concerns about extremism and the possibility of Canada experiencing unrest similar to that seen in Paris. Among the pro-Palestine demonstrators, there wasn't a Canadian flag in sight. Instead, Palestinian flags and flags of the Islamic Republic in Iran were displayed, along with an inverted American flag and an effigy of U.S. President Donald Trump with a noose around its neck. One Iranian counter-demonstrator held a sign referencing the riots in Paris, warning Canadians about the potential for similar unrest at home. Another Iranian immigrant, whose family fled the Islamic Republic, questioned why Canadians were participating in demonstrations alongside individuals waving the flag of the very regime he escaped. "Canada opened its arms to me, and me and my family came here because of the Iranian regime," he explained. He was particularly troubled by the absence of Canadian flags among the pro-Palestine demonstrators. Another Iranian counter-demonstrator accused Western activists of supporting the Islamist movement without understanding the potential consequences, pointing to developments in Paris. "Wake up, Canadians, wake up, and take back your country," he urged. "Canada, don't think that you're very far from it. Very, very close," another warned, referencing unrest in European cities. Several pro-Palestine protesters also crossed police barricades to engage with counter-demonstrators. Exchanges became heated over the October 7 massacre and allegations of atrocities committed by the regime in Iran. One Iranian woman described an encounter with a pro-Palestinian demonstrator who, she said, refused to acknowledge the Iranian regime's mass killing of protesters earlier this year. "If you don't believe that, then what can I say to you?" she asked. Meanwhile, an immigrant from India who happened upon the demonstration joined the counter-protesters, picking up Canadian and Israeli flags. "I love this country. I want to support this country," he said. For the Iranian Canadians interviewed, the scenes unfolding in Paris served as a warning about what they fear could happen in Canada if political and social tensions continue escalating. REPORT by @ScarlettGrace92: