Protesters took to the streets of Toronto Tuesday to show solidarity for efforts to cease construction of a crude oil pipeline in North Dakota, as part of an international day of action.
Dozens of protesters blocked parts of King Street West in the Financial District just after 5 p.m., in support of the Standing Rock Sioux Nation battle with the U.S. federal government over the building of the Dakota Access oil pipeline.
READ MORE: Standing Rock standoff: How the North Dakota pipeline protest sparked Native American activism
The protest coincided with the Toronto International Film Festival and shut down King Street near Duncan and John Streets where numerous events were scheduled to take place. Police said protesters were “approaching a TIFF venue” and said roads were already closed in the area for the festival.
Westbound traffic on King Street was being diverting onto Bay Street and police were asking commuters to avoid the area. Police said the protests were peaceful in nature and ended just after 7 p.m.
READ MORE: North Dakota pipeline construction partially stopped by US government
“Join us in solidarity with other Land Defenders and Water Protectors across Turtle Island on this Day of Action call-out from Standing Rock, the day before their next court date,” a Facebook post for the protest stated.
“Bring your banners & signs, your voices and your good spirit, along with your drums & shakers, and bring a friend to King and York streets at the Toronto Stock Exchange.”