Hundreds gather in T.O. for 'Red Friday' rally
CTV.ca News Staff
Hundreds of people gathered at Yonge-Dundas Square over the noon-hour Friday in a rally of support for Canadian troops in Afghanistan.
The gathering was a sea of red, as participants were asked to wear that specific colour.
Those who attended included families of soldiers currently serving in the war-torn country, as well as wounded troops who have returned from their tours of duty.
As the event was being held, news broke that another Canadian solder was killed Friday after stepping on a booby trap in southern Afghanistan.
Parents of fallen soldiers also attended the 'Red Friday' rally and delivered speeches.
The parents of Orillia's Mike McTeague, who was wounded in a suicide bomb strike that killed four Canadian soldiers on Sept. 18, also spoke.
His father, Sean, told CTV's Austin Delaney his son is still in the intensive care unit at Sunnybrook Hospital and is not well enough to watch the event on the television.
But Sean was excited to be a part of the rally.
"I'd just like to see a great turnout. Our members of the Canadian Armed Forces are part of our community, they serve us, just like the police, fire department, paramedics, doctors and nurses," he said.
"So it's an opportunity just to come out again to (praise) another special group of people who make Canada look good, and to come out and be proud, and say 'thank you.'"
Capt. Wayne Johnston said the troops are risking their lives and need to be supported.
"It makes me proud to be a Canadian, that people step up to the plate and show the soldiers that they're behind them, that they're behind the young men and women who are sacrificing their lives and their families every day," he said.
"I'm here today because I want peace in this country, and I want to make sure that it stays that way," another supporter said.
Ties, baseball hats and Roots shirts were some of the red articles of clothing worn at the rally, and supporters waved Canadian flags.
Mayor David Miller told the crowd they ought to feel proud for Canada's troops. Artist Gordon Lightfoot also spoke.
In all, 37 Canadian soldiers and one diplomat have died on the mission to Afghanistan since 2002.
More than half of the deaths occurred this summer, when insurgent violence escalated dramatically.
With a report from CTV's Austin Delaney
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