Pro-Palestinian demonstrators came from across Quebec to march in downtown Montreal on Saturday afternoon.
Palestinian flags and signs in hand, the demonstrators gathered to commemorate the 76th anniversary of the Nakba, the name which designates the forced exodus of Palestinians during the creation of the State of Israel in 1948.
PHOTO DENIS GERMAIN, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
“End the siege now!” » can we read on this sign brandished by a demonstrator.
The crowd first gathered in front of the Israeli consulate general in Montreal before taking to the streets of the city center, under the curious gaze of passers-by. “Gaza, Montreal is with you!” », Proclaimed the demonstrators, who also demanded an immediate ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip, as well as the severing of all ties between Canada and Israel.
There were nearly 3,000 people demonstrating in the streets of the city center, according to a spokesperson for the City of Montreal Police Department.
On the sidelines of the demonstration, Zeyad, spokesperson for the Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights (SPHR) group at Concordia University, said he was encouraged by the large number of protesters who came to encourage the Palestinian cause on Saturday. “The support is enormous. […] It gives us a lot of motivation. »
PHOTO DENIS GERMAIN, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Pro-Palestinian demonstration in Montreal on the occasion of the 76th anniversary of the Nakba
According to Zeyad, such citizen mobilization represents “another stage, another stopover in this movement which has grown enormously in recent months”.
We will not stop until our demands are heard.
Zeyad, spokesperson for the SPHR at Concordia University
The demonstrators ended their route in front of the McGill University campus, where spokespersons delivered speeches in support of the pro-Palestinian student encampment that has been set up there for two weeks.
A multigenerational movement
Different generations rubbed shoulders during the demonstration, which took place peacefully.
PHOTO DENIS GERMAIN, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
The demonstration was organized by different pro-Palestinian groups.
Frederick Jones, 78, said he was too horrified by the images of the Gaza Strip he saw on television to stay at home. “I read about what happened to the Palestinians in 1948, and I see that we are doing the same thing again,” said the retiree, who demonstrated with his 81-year-old wife.
“It is not a war against Hamas that Israel is waging, it is a war against the people [palestinien] », added the one who marched in the name of the United Palestinians and Jews organization.
With a sign in hand, Oscar Carillo paraded alongside his 9-year-old daughter. “I am here in solidarity with my Palestinian brothers and sisters, who are undergoing genocide,” said the protester, who has participated in several other demonstrations since October 7, the date the war between Israel and Gaza began. . “I walk for peace,” added the father.
The demonstration was organized by the groups Palestinian Youth Movement, Lawyers 4 Palestine, Health Workers Alliance for Palestine, PalestineQuebec and Labor 4 Palestine, as well as various pro-Palestinian student groups in Montreal.