Canadian powerlifter leads first Sophie Cunningham rally outside the United States
April Hutchinson headed a Sophie Cunningham rally in Toronto, where supporters clashed with a small pro-trans group and police issued a ticket to a Rebel News billboard.
Canadian powerlifting champion April Hutchinson led the seventh Sophie Cunningham rally on Tuesday night in Toronto, marking the first such event held outside the United States. The gathering took place outside Scotiabank Arena before the Indiana Fever’s victory over the Toronto Tempo, with many attendees wearing XX-XY Athletics shirts.
Hutchinson said a small group of about five people wearing pro-transgender messages approached the crowd and claimed the rally’s signs were disrespectful. She also noted that Toronto police had contacted her earlier in the day to obtain details about the rally and help ensure the safety of participants.
During the event, a mobile billboard promoted Cunningham and featured commentary by Martina Navratilova on fairness in women’s sports. The billboard, erected by Rebel News, was later ticketed by Toronto police for violating municipal by-law 693-14, which regulates illuminated or animated displays. Rebel News said it has retained legal counsel to contest the charge, while the police department declined further comment, citing ongoing court proceedings.
Inside the arena, Cunningham scored 13 points, making all three of her three-point attempts, but faced boos from some fans. After the game, she thanked the Toronto crowd, acknowledging both cheers and boos as part of the sporting experience.
"I want to shout out the Tempo crowd, and the city, I think we had so much fun, it’s my first time being in Canada… the crowd was absolutely amazing, and I think that’s what sports is all about, you’re going to get boos you’re going to get cheers, but just the fact that they’re so passionate, they’re loud and they’re putting out for the city, I think it’s amazing," Cunningham told reporters.