Large pro-Palestinian demonstrations crowded the downtown streets of Montreal on Tuesday afternoon to commemorate two years of conflict in Gaza. Numerous CEGEP and university student associations in the city, representing over 46,000 students, voted to strike in solidarity with Palestinians and the victims of Israeli military actions in Gaza over the past two years.
Protesters, many wearing keffiyehs, gathered near Mackay Street and de Maisonneuve Boulevard around 1 p.m., with a significant police presence in the vicinity. Concordia University had earlier announced the closure of its downtown campus to avoid potential disruptions from protests.
Concordia’s president, Graham Carr, explained the campus closure was a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of the community, noting that while protests had occurred on campus previously, such preventive actions had not been necessary before.
The demonstrations, which also took place on Monday, marked the two-year anniversary of Hamas’s attack in southern Israel, resulting in casualties and hostages. Israel’s military response to the attack has been criticized, with the International Criminal Court issuing arrest warrants for Israeli leaders and allegations of genocide. Israel has vehemently denied these claims.
The protests in Montreal on Tuesday drew attention to calls for divestment from Israel, with students demanding actions from their universities to denounce what they perceive as ongoing genocide in Gaza. The demonstrations featured signs denouncing genocide, calls for divestment, and expressions of support for Palestinians, including the burning of an Israeli flag.
Participants in the protests emphasized the humanitarian aspect of their actions, condemning the violence and advocating for divestment from Israel. These sentiments were echoed by various student groups, urging universities to take a stand against Israel’s actions and provide support for those speaking out in support of Palestinians.
Rabbi Josh Berkowitz of the Chabad Student Group at Concordia University expressed concerns about the disruptions caused by the protests, highlighting the impact on students preparing for exams. He noted that the current environment at Concordia was unsettling for students, particularly those with Jewish affiliations, and called for stricter enforcement of rules to ensure a safe learning environment.
Overall, the demonstrations in Montreal underscored the ongoing tensions surrounding the conflict in Gaza and the diverse perspectives within the community on how to address the situation.
