A protest in solidarity with Palestine took place at Hamilton city hall this weekend
- Craig Clark
- 18 May 2021
While growing violence continues in East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, nearly one thousand supporters of the Palestinian solidarity movement gathered for a peaceful protest outside Hamilton’s city hall on Sunday.
The demonstration was one of many protests that took place across Canada this past weekend as part of a series of rallies called All Out For Palestine.
Incredible energy right now in #HamOnt in solidarity with Palestine. #FreePalestine #SaveSheikhJarraj pic.twitter.com/i08WIUuN0m
— Defund HPS (@DefundHPS) May 16, 2021
Supporters of the Palestinian people stood on the steps of Hamilton City Hall, waving giant flags and banners, and chanting songs for the country where some were displaced decades ago.
Local activist Fayrouz Fakhereddin’s father was one of the people displaced in 1967 and her mom’s parents were displaced in 1948. The unrest in Palestine is one of the reasons she is still in Canada today.
“We feel so helpless and guilty being so far away, so it’s a privilege to go to every single protest, to stand in solidarity with my brothers and sisters who are still living in Palestine fighting for the right to stay, those who are displaced fighting for the right to return, and to spread the message in our community,” said Fakhereddin.
Local activist groups, including Defund HPS, used social media to organize and spread the word about the demonstration in Hamilton.
The protest lasted a few hours with there being close to one thousand people slowing down traffic in the area while receiving signs of support from some passing by.
“Even if one person drives by and sees the show of support and has no knowledge of what’s going on and maybe curiosity gets the best of them and they go home and educate themselves and become a supporter, that’s one more person who will help us fight for our cause,” said Fakhereddin.
In Jerusalem, violence began to spark again last month when Palestinian protesters demonstrated in response to Israeli police tactics during Ramadan.
Protests also started when Jewish settlers threatened the eviction of numerous Palestinian families in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood.
Hamas militants in Gaza responded by launching rockets at Israel, resulting in retaliation from the Israeli military.
According to a report filed by CTV News, at least 188 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza as of Sunday morning. This includes 55 children and 33 women with another 1,230 people wounded.
Although it was a peaceful protest outside city hall in Hamilton, police were seen ticketing demonstrators as they left the protest.
Cops are still ticketing people as they leave. https://t.co/DjbYLSJeUU
— Defund HPS (@DefundHPS) May 16, 2021
Different demonstrations have been taking place throughout the city with varied repercussions for violating COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
An anti-lockdown protest in Ancaster the week before saw no fines or charges placed. As of Monday, there have been 22 charges and numerous fines handed out after the All Out For Palestine rally.
Lead image courtesy of @fayrouz_f.
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