Large pro-Palestinian rallies flooded downtown Montreal on Tuesday to commemorate two years of conflict in Gaza. Multiple student associations from CEGEPs and universities in the city, representing over 46,000 students, voted to strike in solidarity with Palestinians and the victims of Israeli military actions in Gaza.
Protesters, many adorned with keffiyehs, gathered near Mackay Street and de Maisonneuve Boulevard around 1 p.m., with a significant police presence in the vicinity. Concordia University closed its downtown campus earlier in the day to avoid potential disruptions from protests.
Concordia’s president, Graham Carr, stated that the campus closure was a precautionary measure to safeguard the community, noting that such actions had not been necessary in the past despite previous on-campus demonstrations.
The rallies coincided with the anniversary of Hamas’s 2023 attack in southern Israel, which triggered Israel’s formal declaration of war on Hamas. The ensuing military campaign resulted in a high death toll in Gaza, with allegations of genocide against Israel, including arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court for top Israeli officials.
Demonstrators in Montreal demanded divestment from Israel and called for an end to the alleged genocide. The protests, marked by signs denouncing atrocities and smoke bombs, culminated in a symbolic burning of an Israeli flag. The spirited crowd, chanting and blowing horns, marched through downtown streets.
Students participating in the rallies voiced their concerns, calling for universities to divest from Israel and take a firm stance against the ongoing crisis. They criticized school administrations for prioritizing profits over student interests and emphasized the need for solidarity with Palestinians.
Rabbi Josh Berkowitz of the Chabad Student Group at Concordia University expressed concerns about disruptions affecting students preparing for exams and highlighted the discomfort faced by Jewish students on campus. He underscored the importance of enforcing rules to ensure a safe learning environment for all students.
