Rally calling on Toronto Mayor Rob Ford to resign over scandals held today

TORONTO – Several hundred protesters gathered outside Toronto city hall today and called for Mayor Rob Ford to step down.

Many held up posters insisting Ford leave office and called the mayor’s ongoing video scandal a disgrace to the city.

For more than two weeks, Ford has been bombarded with questions about reports of an alleged video showing him smoking what appears to be crack cocaine — a drug he says he does not use.

Protester Jim Hedge said the explosive video allegations are a tipping point for Ford , who has been tailed by controversy for much of his mayoralty.

“He’s a man who appears willing to say anything — except the truth — to stay in office,” Hedge said.

“He’s not been good economically or culturally for this town and this is the final straw. He has to go.”

One Ford supporter who braved the crowd to defend the mayor wound up in a heated argument, but was quickly drowned out by anti-Ford chants.

Derek Hill said many people are jumping to conclusions about the purported video, which has not been publicly released.

“This is not due process. No matter how you feel about Ford, it’s un-Canadian,” he said.

Ford has refused to answer questions about the video scandal at news conferences he has held the past two days.

The mayor has also said he will not step aide and plans to seek re-election.

Several of Ford’s staffers have parted company with the mayor since the scandal broke.