Violence broke out at an Eritrean festival in Edmonton last weekend following a similar clash in Toronto earlier this month.
At both events, protesters from the Eritrean diaspora opposed events that billed themselves as celebrations of Eritrean culture.
Protesters say the festivals are connected to the Eritrean government, distributing propaganda and raising money for the state. They view demonstrations as a chance to raise their voice in opposition to a repressive regime when those in their home country cannot.
Lambros Kyriakakos, chair of the national Coalition of Eritrean Canadian Communities and Organizations who co-organized the festivals in Edmonton and Toronto, disagrees with characterizing
