Vigorous Actions Mark Day of International Solidarity with the Palestinian People

Around the world on November 29, mass actions marked the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. This year's observance of the occasion was also the 419th day of the U.S./Israeli genocide in Gaza, and nearly 14 months of steadfast resistance by the Palestinian people, with the peoples of the world standing by them in support of their just cause at every turn.

November 29 marks the day in 1947 when the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 181 (II) on the partition of Palestine. In 1977, the General Assembly passed Resolution 32/40 B calling for the annual observance of the day, specifically calling on Member States to give it the widest support and publicity.

Posted below are photos and reports from the November 29 Day of Solidarity and other actions, across Canada and around the world.

Montreal

Early in the evening of November 29, hundreds of protesters marched through the streets of Montreal as part of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

Prior to the march, a representative of the Palestine Youth Movement spoke with determination and conviction about the ongoing struggle for justice. She said: "Brothers and sisters, let us speak with clarity and conviction: the struggle for liberation is more alive than ever, and no force on earth will ever extinguish it.

"On October 7, 2023, Gaza broke free. After decades of siege, starvation, and massacres, Gaza's resistance broke the chains of its prison. And as the world watched in shock, Lebanon stood with Gaza with unshakable solidarity and action. While much of the Arab world watched quietly, Lebanon sacrificed. Lebanon faced daily bombings, daily destruction of its villages and the murder and displacement of thousands of their people. And despite this, Lebanon stood firm, showing us the true meaning of solidarity: sacrifice. Lebanon's courage, its sacrifices, and its unwavering support for Gaza are a model for us all. Lebanon caused massive casualties to the Israeli occupation forces, disrupted Israel's economy, and shook the reserves of its imperial backer, the United States.

"The sight of hundreds of Lebanese returning to their villages in the south is a promise and declaration: Lebanon today, Palestine tomorrow."

She said that the struggle continues worldwide in support of Palestine and pointed out that for the first time in history the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for two allies of the U.S., Israeli Prime Minister Neyanyahu and former Defence Minister Gallant which apply in more than 120 countries. She said "This is not just a symbolic moment: it is a crack in the wall of impunity that the Zionist entity and its imperial backers have hidden behind for decades," a weapon to, among other things, confront Canada's complicity as it continues to manufacture and send arms to the Zionist regime to massacre Palestinians in violation of the rulings of the International Court of Justice.

She denounced banks like Scotiabank that continue to invest millions of dollars in Iraeli weapons companies, and Canadian universities that brutalize students and invest in corporations that profit from genocide. "As long as Canada continues to supply weapons to the occupation, Canada will forever remain an active participant in the genocide in Gaza," she said and added: "So, as we gather for the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, let us be as brave as our Lebanese brothers and sisters, let us be as relentless and as uncompromising in our solidarity. Let us demand nothing less than for Canada to stop manufacturing weapons for war crimes. Nothing less than full divestment from companies that arm this fascist entity."

She continued saying, "And to our people here, we remind you: the struggle does not end with a ceasefire, and it does not end with rulings from international courts. It continues in every street, in every square, and every corner of our communities. It continues in the heart of each and every one of us. The streets of the diaspora will never quiet down. The streets of Montreal will never surrender. We should be proud of ourselves. We are a people who refuse to accept genocide, who demand justice, and who will march until liberation is achieved.

"So we say, Lebanon today, Palestine tomorrow. Gaza today, Al-Quds [Jerusalem] tomorrow. Victory is on the horizon. From the camps to the villages, from Lebanon to Palestine, our people are one, steadfast and unyielding, walking arm in arm toward liberation."

Throughout the march and without respite, they chanted: Long Live the Lebanese Resistance!; Trudeau, Trudeau, Take a Stand: Justice or Genocide; Zionists, Fascists, You are the Terrorists; Solidarity with the People Who Resist; No Peace in Quebec without Justice in Palestine; Gaza, Gaza, Montreal Is with You!; Palestine Is in Our Hearts, Free our Brothers and Sisters!; Free Gaza, Free Palestine!; There Is Only One Solution: Stop the Occupation!, and many other slogans.

On Sainte-Catherine Street, in the thick of Black Friday shopping, the organizers explained several times the struggle of the Palestinian people and the fact that Canada participates by providing weapons and bombs against the Palestinian people. On several occasions, they invited passers-by to join the march to all together loudly demand an end to the occupation. This is how the contingent grew in size amidst the applause of passers-by. The march ended near the Concordia metro station, to cheers and applause from the crowd.

November 29

Toronto

More than 1,000 people in Toronto took part in a militant rally and march on November 29, the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. As the rally began, people spilled out into the intersection at Yonge and Dundas in downtown Toronto. Waving flags, banners and pickets they listened to speakers and chanted many slogans such as One, We are the People, Two, We Won't Be Silenced, Three, Stop the Bombing Now, Now, Now, Now!; Arms Embargo Now!; Justin Trudeau You will See, Palestine Will be Free!; Lift the Siege, Let them Breathe!; and From the River to the Sea, Palestine Is Almost Free! in Arabic and English.

The main theme of the short speeches at Dundas Square was appreciation for the steadfast support of the Canadian, Quebec and world's people for the Palestinians for more than 400 days. Another theme was the heroism of the Resistance which has forced the U.S./Zionist aggressors to sign a ceasefire with Hezbollah and Israel to withdraw once again from southern Lebanon. Speakers also denounced the ongoing criminalization of the pro-Palestinian protesters by the Canadian state which continues to be silent in the face of the escalating terror and violence of the U.S./Zionist war criminals.

Following the speeches, the participants marched north up Yonge Street to the Israeli Consulate at Yonge and Bloor. Here, in the early evening, the sound of more slogans denouncing the Zionist criminals, Canada and the U.S. could be heard for blocks around. At the end, the organizers called on everyone to continue to step up support for the Palestinian people by talking to their friends and neighbours, keeping informed and also participating in upcoming actions for Palestine.

November 29

London

November 29

Windsor

On November 29, Windsor4Palestine held a noon hour “People’s Flag Raising” to mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. It was organized after the City turned down their request for an official raising of the Palestinian flag that day. With supporters gathered around holding high their own flags and the Palestinian national anthem playing, activists hoisted a large Palestinian flag on a portable flagpole where it flew high alongside other flags flying with the City’s official approval. During the moving ceremony patriotic songs were played as videos of huge crowds marching in support of Palestine in the streets of Canadian cities and others around the world were displayed on a television screen -- a testament to the fact that the world’s people stand with the Palestinian people and their resistance. Many people driving by on University Avenue honked their horns and made other gestures of support upon seeing the bold action taking place.

Vancouver

November 29

November 29

Saint John

November 29

Halifax

On November 26 at 2 pm, students from Halifax universities rallied at Dalhousie University's Board of Governors' meeting, where a vote was being held on whether the university should divest from financial ties that support Israel's war and occupation in Gaza.

Dalhousie Student Union (DSU) President Mariam Knakriah brought forward the divestment motion, the result of collaboration between the Dalhousie Palestinian Society and the DSU. The motion was supported by the Dalhousie Faculty Association's previous divestment motion and by a petition signed by university community members, including students, staff, alumni and faculty. The motion did not pass and further attempts by the students to have their demands put on the agenda were blocked.

Consequently, the students organized to occupy the building to press their demand. When the occupation ended more than 40 hours later on November 28, the students had made clear that they would continue to hold the university to account.