Photo Review

Actions in Canada and Around the World

Ottawa, October 8

With less than a day's notice, more than 1,200 people, most of them young people, gathered at the Human Rights Monument in Ottawa to show their support for the Palestinian people and the Palestinian resistance.

Speakers there included the Palestinian Youth Movement, Independent Jewish Voices, Palestinian Student Association -- University of Ottawa, and Labour for Palestine -- Canada. All the speakers called for support for the Palestinian people against the aggression and armed violence of the Zionist entity. They saluted the Palestinian resistance which has opened a chapter of struggle for the dignity and pride of the Palestinian people which is now responding to decades of continuous and repeated Zionist aggression against the Palestinian people. They denounced the hypocrisy of the Trudeau government and all political parties who support Israel's right to defend itself while ignoring the plight of the Palestinian people caused by the Zionists' criminality. They also cautioned everyone not to fall into the trap of condemning the victims of oppression and dictating how the Palestinian people should fight for their liberation.

After hearing the speakers, the demonstration marched through downtown Ottawa and the Byward Market, past the U.S. Embassy and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's office on Wellington Street. Slogans shouted called for the freedom of Palestine and affirmed that resistance is a right.

The demonstration ended at the Human Rights Monument more than two hours after the rally began, with calls from the organizers to be ready to demonstrate again and continue actions in support of the Palestinian people.

Montreal, October 8

At the call of the Palestinian Youth Movement, hundreds of people of all ages, most of them youth, rallied at Dorchester Square in downtown Montreal where a sea of Palestinian flags adorned the park. For close to an hour, people chanted in unison in French, English and Arabic From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be Free!; Free, Free Palestine!; Netanyahu, You Will See, Palestine Will Be Free!; Gaza, Gaza!; Resistance is Justified, When People are Occupied!,;Resistance Is Justified When People are Colonized!; Intifada, Intifada, Long Live Intifada!; There Is Only One Solution, Intifada Revolution!; Israel Terrorist, Trudeau Accomplice!

A young woman spoke to the crowd reminding everyone that "People in Palestine have been under a blockade for more than 50 years. Under the brutality of the occupation, people have been denied their basic rights." The crowd answered back "Shame!" She added, "The arrogance of the occupiers, believing they can get away with anything because they have the backing of some of the most powerful countries in the world, [...] 

"The operations that have been going on for the last few days are to restore our dignity, and for all the Arabs of the world. We are here to celebrate that victory, [..] to break that captivity that has been imposed on us by the Zionist entity [...] to restore our rightful honour! [...] We are asking politicians to support us and to remind them that we are here to liberate our homeland, with our own hands. As members of the diaspora that live in Canada, in the heart of the enemy, we must remind ourselves to be patient, that wherever we go, we must not rest until every inch of Palestine is liberated!"

For close to two hours the march travelled through the streets of downtown Montreal, with people chanting slogans and waving flags until they arrived at the Israeli consulate. The consulate was heavily guarded by police officers of the Sûreté du Québec riot squad who pushed back anyone trying to go up the stairs leading to the entrance of the building. The crowd stayed on for another half hour. The organizers called on people to be ready to come out for another emergency rally when needed.

Halifax, October 8

Toronto, October 7

For several hours, a group of Palestinian youth and supporters of the Palestinian resistance waved flags and hung a large banner stating "Honk Your Horns for Palestine" on an overpass straddling the Gardiner Expressway in Toronto. The honking of the horns was practically uninterrupted as motorists coming into and leaving the city showed their support, some waving and raising their fists. This support invigorated the youth who held their ground despite the efforts of the Toronto police to harass and intimidate them, and clearly reflected the broad support for the Palestinian people's courage and their just cause.  

Toronto, October 9

More than 5,000 people participated in a rally and march in support of the Palestinian people organized by the Palestine Youth Movement. The action began at Nathan Phillips Square with the chanting of slogans including From the River to the Sea, Palestine Will Be Free!  Trudeau You Will See, Palestine Will Be Free!  The Only Solution, Intifada Revolution!  Intifada, Intifada, Long Live the Intifada!, and others in Arabic and English.  

Following the rally, the participants marched up Bay Street stopping at intersections to chant and shout slogans. Along the route youth were front and centre along the way and leading the chants. Many Torontonians warmly saluted the action, many joining in. The action ended at the Israeli Consulate at Yonge and Bloor Street where the chanting of slogans continued for some time reflecting the spirit of the Palestinian people to continue their struggle until victory.

Many denounced the statements of politicians like Ontario Premier Doug Ford and the mayor of Toronto, Olivia Chow, who outdid themselves in characterizing the actions called in solidarity with Palestine as "glorifying this weekend's indiscriminate violence." Chow tweeted that "The rally to support Hamas at Nathan Phillips Square today is unsanctioned, without a permit and I unequivocally denounce it. Glorifying this weekend's indiscriminate violence, including murder and kidnapping of women and children, by Hamas against Israeli civilians is deplorable." She remained silent about the crimes of the Zionists against women and children and the entire Palestinian people, all against international law -- including cutting electricity and shipments of food and water and medical supplies to Gaza -- and standards of human behaviour.  Chow ended her statement with "I am receiving updates from the Chief of Police, who assures me they will investigate and address any suspected incidents of hate."  

The spirit of the rally in Toronto was unequivocally in support of the unwavering determination of the Palestinian people to end the Israeli occupation and their treatment as less than human, with no rights. It applauded the Palestinian resistance for defying the constant repression and violence and the stand of the Zionists and their supporters that they are all powerful and can succeed in subduing the long-suffering Palestinian nation.

London, October 9

Edmonton, October 8

Around 1,500 Palestinians and their supports held a militant rally in Castle Downs Park. Large numbers of youth participated, along with whole families, from the small children holding Palestinian flags to the older generation who hold the memories of being forced from their homes when they themselves were small children.

A huge Palestinian flag covered the hillside where everyone gathered to hear the speakers. Speaker after speaker upheld the right of the people of Palestine and all oppressed people to resist. They spoke of the crimes committed by the Zionists, and their determination to End the Occupation. Again and again the speakers were met with Free Palestine! From the River to the Sea, Palestine Will be Free! and other chants. Following the speakers everyone joined in to hold a militant march through the park.

Calgary, October 9

Vancouver, October 8

Vancouver, October 9

United States

Portland, OR

San Fransisco, CA

Milwaukee, WI

Chicago, IL

Columbus, OH

Raleigh, NC

Atlanta, GA

Boston, MA

Cambridge, MA

New Haven, CT

New York City, NY

Rochester, NY

Albany, NY

Baltimore, MD

Washington, DC

Tampa, FL

Europe

Ireland

Britain

Netherlands

Portugal

Spain

Greece

Asia

Lebanon

Yemen

Bahrain

Syria

Iran

Qatar

Oceania

Australia

(Photos: TML, PMLQ, Samidoun, PSL, Answer, ashapoesis, Riffs33, NY Peoples Forum, didactickatydid, itsslusey, Lau_bast, Progressive Omar, IPSC, Brighton BDS, Brighton & Hove PSC, PSC, Palestinjnse Gemeenschap, Aldanmarki, LuaLua TV, Sana, Shehab, E. Garaad, AR30, Jaguaress)

---

This article was published in

Volume 53 Number 11 - October 2023

Article Link:
https://cpcml.ca/Tmlm2023/Articles/MS53118.HTM

Website:  www.cpcml.ca   Email:  editor@cpcml.ca