Toronto protesters mark May Day

Thousands of protesters filled the streets in Toronto on Saturday in separate marches marking the fifth annual May Day and calling for the legalization of marijuana.

May 1is International Workers' Day,andpeople demonstrated in many major cities around the world.

According to CP24 News,one group of protesters marched from the Ontario legislature at Queen's Park to Bloor Street and onto Yonge Street, where they doubled back.

A large number of people with banners, loudspeakers and drumswere marching for the legalization of marijuana.

Live music, merchants and information points were also part of the event.

CP24 also reported that pro-marijuana campaignerMarc Emery of Vancouver made an appearance in hopes of rallying support. He is facing a five-year prison term in the U.S. after pleading guiltyin 2009to selling marijuana seeds through the mail. He is due to surrender himself to U.S. authorities this month, but the federal justice minister must first formally approve his extradition.

Another march began in the city's St. Jamestown neighbourhood and proceeded down Parliament Street. Organizers said those protesters were trying to draw attention to the plight of refugees and immigrant workers in Canada.

"We've seen a further dismantling of an already broken immigration refugee system," said Faria Kamal, one of the organizers.

"We're here today to really speak out against it and fight back."