Large pro-Palestinian protests flooded the downtown area of Montreal on Tuesday afternoon to mark two years of conflict in Gaza. Various student associations from CEGEPs and universities in the city, representing over 46,000 students, voted to strike on Monday and Tuesday in solidarity with Palestinians and the victims of Israeli military actions in Gaza over the past two years.
Demonstrators, many wearing keffiyehs, gathered near the intersection of Mackay Street and de Maisonneuve Boulevard around 1 p.m., with a significant police presence in the vicinity. Concordia University closed its downtown campus on Tuesday morning to avoid disruptive protests, allowing faculty to opt for remote teaching if feasible.
The decision to shut down the campus was made to ensure the safety of the community, according to Concordia University’s president and vice-chancellor, Graham Carr. This precautionary measure was deemed necessary despite previous protests on campus in recent years.
In addition to the demonstrations held on Monday, Tuesday marked the anniversary of Hamas’s attack in southern Israel in 2023, which resulted in numerous casualties and hostages in Gaza, as reported by Israeli sources. The subsequent military campaign by Israel has led to a high death toll, with Gaza’s Health Ministry estimating over 67,000 fatalities.
The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister, alleging genocide and other serious charges. Israel has refuted these claims as baseless. The Montreal protests on Tuesday saw crowds calling for divestment from Israel and condemning genocide, with some individuals burning an Israeli flag.
Students participating in the protests demanded divestment from Israel, a clear stance against Israel similar to that supporting Ukraine, and amnesty for those supporting Palestinians. These demands were backed by thousands of students, criticizing school administrations for prioritizing profits over student interests.
Rabbi Josh Berkowitz of the Chabad Student Group at Concordia University expressed concerns about disruptions affecting students preparing for exams and the overall safety of the campus. He highlighted the discomfort felt by students with Jewish affiliations due to the ongoing unrest, emphasizing the need for university rules to be enforced to ensure a safe learning environment.
The protests in Montreal reflected a strong show of support for the Palestinian cause, with participants advocating for change and raising awareness about the ongoing conflict in the region.
