Responding to the call of Palestine House “to protest the ongoing ethnic cleansing of our people,” many thousands of people participated in a militant rally and march on the evening of May 18 to oppose the latest escalation of killing, violence and brutality being perpetrated by the Zionist state of Israel against the Palestinian people in Gaza and the Occupied Territories. The action had broad participation from Canadian working people who joined as one to denounce Israeli state violence and genocide against the Palestinian people, and also to denounce the Trudeau government’s silence and support of Israeli crimes.

Youth were front and centre in the action organizing and leading the chants, which began in Celebration Square at Mississauga City Centre and continued with a march through the main streets nearby. The air reverberated with slogans such as “Netanyahu You Will See, Palestine Will be Free,” “From the River to the Sea, Palestine Will Be Free,” “From Afghanistan to Palestine, Occupation is a Crime” and many others. Along the way, many onlookers joined the march and others expressed their support by raising their fists.

The unity in action and resistance raised the spirits of everyone who participated and strengthened their resolve to continue to organize actions and speak out to end Israeli state terrorism, racism and violence against the heroic Palestinian people and uphold their right to be.