About 40 people gathered in Toronto on May 24 to call for the release of Toronto artist Alvaro Orozco, who has been held on a deportation order at the Immigration Holding Centre in Rexdale since he was arrested on May 13.
The group marched from Yonge-Dundas Square to a federal government office at 83 Victoria St, flapping a blue banner. It was a tongue-in-cheek response to what Let Alvaro Stay organizer Craig Fortier describes as Immigration Canada’s demand for a “wave of support” from Orozco’s community in order to allow him to stay in Toronto.
The Department of Immigration says Orozco must demonstrate that he is established in the community, Fortier told the crowd.
“What better way to do that than bring the community to the establishment?” he asked.
Fortier said that the march is only one of many steps the community has taken, including poster campaigns, a press conference and art show, community meetings and another protest. He also says it won’t be the last.
“If we do not hear from [Immigration Minister] Jason Kenney,” he says, “we will escalate.”
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