Statement from the Diocese of London:
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church (located on Dundas Street in London and across from the TVDSB office) was asked by a group organizing the 1 Million March 4 Children event who requested to use the parish parking lot. The parish agreed on the clear understanding the request was being granted for parking only. No mention was made of a rally with speakers, or of a crowd planning to gather on the property.
Neither St. Patrick’s nor the Diocese of London played any role in organizing and/or supporting the event. Once parish staff realized the size and scale of the event, they asked organizers to disperse the crowd based on safety concerns as well as the impact on the church and surrounding community.