Angry over milk, protesters attempted to disrupt a Maple Leafs open practice in Toronto

Fans gathered at Nathan Phillips Field for the Toronto Maple Leafs' annual open practice on Thursday, but not everyone gathered outside City Hall to cheer on the blue and white.

Anti-dairy protesters caused a minor ruckus during Thursday's practice, part of a campaign against the Leafs' partnership with Ontario dairy farmers that has seen players sport a “milk” patch since the 2022-23 season.

Organizers of the “Milk Fear” protest distributed flyers shaped like milk bottles promoting dairy-free alternatives. This follows similar protests by animal rights groups during the 2024 NHL All-Star Weekend in Toronto recently.

“The word 'Milk' has been on the Maple Leafs jersey since last season,” said event organizer Mary-Chris Staples.

“Our goal was to raise awareness about the realities of the dairy industry and give star fans a chance to see for themselves how great dairy products are. Many fans generally agree that using corporate logos on sports jerseys is a way to get rid of dairy.”

Activists have shared a video on Instagram – where they may be using a phone containing conflict minerals produced in hellish conditions – in which they inform the public about the often appalling animal welfare conditions on dairy farms.

The gathering was peaceful, although activists claimed that “police, security and protesters seemed to be chasing each other” during the march.

One of the activists involved in the protest, Jenny McQueen, noted that even Leafs fans are opposed to milk patches, citing a 2022 article by Leafs fan page editorinleaf.com that denounced the endorsement as “harmful to animal welfare, the environment, and our environment.” health”.