TORONTO – A growing number of people have joined a Facebook event page calling for Mayor Rob Ford to resign.
The group called “Stand Up for Toronto – Let’s Demand Rob Ford’s Resignation,” created late Monday, calls for those concerned with Ford’s ability to run the city to gather Saturday at Nathan Philips Square, located just outside of city hall, for a peaceful rally.
Since being created, the event listing shows over 1,000 RSVPs of people planning to attend.
More than 8,000 Facebook users have been invited to the event page.
The controversy surrounding the mayor stems from reports of a video allegedly showing someone who matches the appearance of Mayor Rob Ford smoking what appears to be crack cocaine.
Last week, the mayor called the allegations “ridiculous” and on Friday, denied that he uses crack cocaine.
“I do not use crack cocaine, nor am I an addict of crack cocaine,” Ford said during a press conference.
Global News has not seen and cannot verify the authenticity of the alleged video.
Chris Wright, who started the event on Facebook, said he created the group as a concerned citizen who felt the city lacked the leadership it deserved.
“I don’t consider myself an ‘activist,’ but I found myself frustrated just waiting around for somebody to do something. I finally decided that I would put a Facebook event together and see if I could get some friends to come to Nathan Phillips Square with me,” Wright told Global News in an email.
Wright was surprised to see the response that the Facebook event has received thus far.
“People are worried that City Hall has become overwhelmed with the scandals. Some people are calling into question the efficacy of the mayor’s team with so many staff changes,” said Wright, who noted that participants are all coming for their own reasons.
“Growing divisions amongst Torontonians trouble other people, and they want a leader who can bring citizens together. The list of concerns is long and diverse, but they’re all connected to the general wellbeing of our city.”
The event listing makes a clear point that the intention of the rally is not to personally attack the mayor or his family, but deliver a public message that participants are concerned about Ford’s actions and policies.
The Facebook page specifically notes, “Personal attacks will not be welcomed or tolerated.”
“I often read comments or hear people poking fun at the Mayor about his looks or his weight, which is not productive at all. Even the most recent drug use allegations are being made light of, which is problematic to me,” said Wright.
“My hope is that this gathering will be about a group of citizens getting together to express their concerns about their city’s administration.”
Wright noted that those interested in attending can expect a peaceful, upbeat gathering. On Facebook he encourages children to attend and welcomes participants to bring picnics.
He said participants will be counted to gauge turn out.
“There’s no one thing that can be done, but I felt like people needed to get together to try and inject some joy and hope into Toronto’s future,” said Wright.
The rally is planned for Saturday, June 1 at 12:00 p.m. at Nathan Phillips Square.
Comments