Simultaneously in several metropolises around the world, thousands of people are taking to the streets this Saturday to mark the first anniversary of the conflict stemming from the attacks perpetrated in Israel by Hamas and the response bombings in the Gaza Strip. In Montreal, the demonstration which was supposed to take place on Monday, a year to the day of the events, was instead brought forward to coincide with the global uprisings.
To the rhythm of “emblematic Palestinian” music, hundreds of demonstrators took over the Place des Arts.
“Those who want to participate in a prayer can meet near the blue truck. » With these words launched by the crowd leader, the music gave way to songs. “Viva viva Palestina” and “Long live the Antifada,” shouted the hundreds of people present.
Students, workers and retirees joined the rally organized by the Palestinian Youth Movement group. Corine Lavalée, a student met near the group, believes that it is the diversity of the people present that makes the difference. “But the fact remains that the students are the most determined and the most rebellious. With the camps, we have seen that they are also the most militant. I am here to propagate the idea of a general student strike. We want to send a clear message to governments. »
“To those who have been with us since the beginning, thank you for fighting for a year,” Rama Al Malah, spokesperson for the organizing movement, declared to the crowd, before thanking the new allies of the cause. “Are we tired of fighting? No ! “, she shouted into her megaphone.
The demonstration continued on René-Lévesque Boulevard, where the tone rose a notch. For approximately two hours, the almost 10,000 demonstrators – according to event organizers – occupied major arteries of the city.
Police officers monitored the uprising from afar, preparing to intervene in the event of excesses.
Almost a year ago, on October 7, 2023, Hamas carried out an attack on Israel, causing the deaths of 1,200 people, mainly civilians. The Jewish state responded by bombing the Gaza Strip. According to the Hamas government, nearly 40,000 Palestinians have since lost their lives in this response. “It’s for them that we are here,” said Yasmine Beauchemin, a young mother present with her son, around 10 years old. “I also want to show him what citizen power is,” said the mother, glancing at her boy.