Photograph of two individuals displaying swastikas, August 1933
(Toronto Daily Star/8 August 1933)
At the beginning of the 20th century anti-Semitism was far more prevalent in Canada, the US, and western Europe than it is today. The Great Depression that followed the stock market crash of 1929 exacerbated this dynamic globally. Swastika clubs proliferated in Toronto. Members would parade through public parks and beaches with swastika flags to try and drive Jewish citizens out.
At a baseball game at the Christie Pits ballpark involving one mostly Jewish team, a group of young anti-Semites ran out onto the field with a swastika banner. During the night they returned and wrote “Hail Hitler” on the roof of the clubhouse.
2 days later on August 16, 1933, at the follow-up game, anti-Semites showed up in large numbers, but so did young Jews, joined by Italians and other minorities that at the time were not considered White. Fights broke out in the stands throughout the game and near the end another swastika banner was marched out onto the field. Violence exploded as the rival groups fought over possession of the banner.
The riot spilled out onto the streets, ultimately involving 10,000 people brawling with clubs and improvised weapons. There were no casualties, but hundreds were injured. In the aftermath Toronto’s mayor, William Stewart, announced that future displays of the swastika in public would be prosecuted.
Sources:
Christie Pits Riot- Canadian Encyclopedia
Toronto’s Christie Pits Riot- Museum of Toronto
Remembering the Christie Pits Riot- Canadian Broadcasting Company