Speechless.
B次元官网网址� Toronto Raptors (@Raptors)
Large stretches of downtown Toronto turned into a sea of red and black on Monday as Raptors fans turned out in droves to celebrate the newly crowned NBA champions, the massive crowds raising safety concerns as officials urged supporters to watch the festivities from afar.
Fans dressed in the teamB次元官网网址檚 colours packed the parade route while a square outside city hall where the march was to end overflowed with people of all ages. Police worked to stop more supporters from entering the square, which the city said was at capacity.
The masses proved too much for some, who were helped over a barricade by police at Nathan Phillips Square to escape the crush. At one point, officers pulled a semi-conscious child over the barrier and onto a stretcher. Several subway stations near the route were also shut down due to overcrowding.
Nicolas Caramanna, 21, said heB次元官网网址檇 been in the crowd since 9 a.m. and the gathering soon got rowdy.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 really hot and tired but IB次元官网网址檓 going to stick around,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲hen else am I going to get a chance to do this?B次元官网网址�
As the parade inched forward B次元官网网址� noticeably behind schedule B次元官网网址� members of the Raptors smiled from open top double-decker buses, some splashing the crowds with champagne. At one point, Kyle Lowry, the longest-serving member of team, was seen hoisting the Larry OB次元官网网址橞rien Championship Trophy while some of his teammates smoked cigars.
B次元官网网址淭his is unbelievable,B次元官网网址� Lowry said.
Kawhi Leonard, one of the teamB次元官网网址檚 star players, also marvelled at the fan response. B次元官网网址淭hank you Toronto, thank you Canada for the support, we did it,B次元官网网址� he said.
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Canadian rapper Drake, one the teamB次元官网网址檚 most famous supporters, was alongside players, smiling broadly.
Many fans said they decided not to go to school or work so they could attend the celebration.
B次元官网网址淚 actually have exams this week but being here is worth it,B次元官网网址� said 15-year-old Cypher Sabanal, whose mother let him skip school to attend the parade.
John Moreira, meanwhile, had called in sick to work so he could be part of the crowd.
B次元官网网址淚 told my boss I wanted to be at the parade and he said there wasnB次元官网网址檛 much he could do if I called in sick so thatB次元官网网址檚 exactly what I did,B次元官网网址� said the 31-year-old. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 looking forward to seeing the whole team. They all work so hard and deserve all the fans being out here.B次元官网网址�
Some in the crowd had camped out all weekend in the hopes of nabbing a prime spot along the parade route or at Nathan Phillips Square.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was scheduled to be among those celebrating, with a brief visit to Toronto planned for later in the day.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford was also expected to watch the festivities from Nathan Phillips Square. His press secretary said Ford wanted the day to be about the fans and players, not politicians.
Good morning Toronto! Today is ! Our city is ready to celebrate the NBA championship with a parade and rally. Encouraging everyone to come out for todayB次元官网网址檚 !
B次元官网网址� John Tory (@JohnTory)
Mayor John Tory declared Monday B次元官网网址淲e The North DayB次元官网网址� in Toronto, after the NBA championsB次元官网网址� slogan. Dressed in his now-famous black-and-gold Raptors blazer, the mayor urged all fans to come celebrate the teamB次元官网网址檚 historic win.
The last time the city held a sports celebration of this magnitude was after the Toronto Blue Jays won the World Series in 1993. That parade saw fans climbing trees and statues on city streets to catch a glimpse of a team that included Joe Carter and Roberto Alomar.
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