An estimated 2,000 people flooded the area surrounding Toronto's Nathan Phillips Square on Sunday to speak out on behalf of the people of Kashmir, a region which recently had its statehood and autonomy revoked by the Government of India.

It was one of several high-profile political demonstrations to take place in Toronto this hot, steamy weekend, and the largest in terms of attendees.

Holding signs with messages such as "I stand with Kashmir," "12 million Kashmiris under lockdown" and "[Indian Prime Minister Narendra] Modi is the new Hitler," protesters listened peacefully as speakers called attention to the long-disputed region's plight.

Protestors rally in #Toronto at Nathan Phillips Square for Kashmir, during India day celebrations pic.twitter.com/SVkbnGQM6K

— blogTO (@blogTO) August 19, 2019

They also chanted and marched around the square, where an India Day celebration happened to be taking place at the same time.

Police set up barriers and maintained a steady presence to ensure members of both groups were safe.

The crisis in Kashmir still persists. We gathered with people from all sorts of backgrounds and communities once again in Toronto this weekend for the freedom of the Kashmiri people. It was raining, hailing and eventually sunny, and we continued, united for this cause. pic.twitter.com/iHNJ5WHZvN

— Maryam & Nivaal Rehman 🇨🇦🇵🇰 (@theworldwithmnr) August 19, 2019

Protesters have staged several demonstrations in Toronto this month to raise awareness about the revocation of Article 370, a constitutional provision which allowed both Kashmir and Jammu to govern themselves internally for decades despite being an Indian state.

Toronto protests against Modi’s fascist policies in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) pic.twitter.com/mkRT5CRYH8

— Aziz Ahmed (@azizahmed56) August 18, 2019

More recently, protests have focused on calling out the Indian government for cuting off all communication links between Kashmiri citizens and the outside world.

a Kashmiri artist in #Toronto made this bobble head of PM Modi. Bobble head resembles Hitler. PM Modi is a RSS member. RSS is widely known for promoting Hindu nationalist Hinduvta, inspired by Nazis + Hitler.#StandWithKashmir #RedForKashmir #Genocide #Kashmir #WarCrimes #India pic.twitter.com/zVJKNOPFuk

— KashmirGulposh (@KGulposh) August 18, 2019

Protesters in Toronto are asking Canada's federal government to step in and formally condemn the security lockdown, as well as India's arrest of many political leaders in Kashmir.

Kashmir rally in Toronto. pic.twitter.com/QTrKmISGKE

— Amina Chaudhary (@roopabhalli) August 18, 2019

Police in Toronto say no arrests were made during the protest, and no intense clashes have been reported. Rain, while heavy at times, did nothing to interrupt the peaceful demonstrations.

Kashmir Solidarity rally in Toronto City Hall, Canada. Attracts muslims from different countries. Khalistani flags were also raised. @fawadchaudhry,@sayedzbukhari, @ImranKhanPTI, @MoeedNj,@Shiffa_ZY,@Shahidmasooddr, @ArifAlvi,@KlasraRauf,@AmirMateen2 pic.twitter.com/C3n0cyOmCf

— M Usama Shairi (@us_shairi) August 19, 2019

Human rights groups around the world have condemned the revocation of Article 370, which India's Hindu nationalist government is defending as a way to spur economic development and investment within the Muslim-majority region.

Critics say the revocation of Article 370 is unconstitutional, if not illegal, and warned ahead of the move that it would lead to serious unrest within the already-conflicted Himalayan territory.

A UN spokesperson called India's move to strip Kashmir of its autonomy "deeply concerning" last week, but have yet to successfully mediate a resolution.