'We, as Quebecois, want a ceasefire': Thousands march for Gaza in Montreal
Thousands gathered in downtown Montreal Sunday afternoon for another demonstration calling for the Israel-Hamas war to end in a ceasefire.
It's the second march of its kind in three days. Some demonstrators told CTV they believe Canadian politicians should do more to promote peace in Gaza as the death toll in the strip climbs.
The march took place in the aftermath of reported strikes in and around Gaza City's main hospital. Thousands of residents were forced to flee south as Israel intensified its assault on the territory's largest city.
The death toll in the strip has surpassed 11,000, according to Gaza officials.
"I want to show that we, as Quebecois, want a ceasefire now," one demonstrator told CTV. Many protestors shared similar messages: that too many innocent lives have been lost.
"I think this shows us the importance of continuing to demonstrate," said Sarah Shamy of the Palestinian Youth Movement.
"I think that the Canadian public officials are betting on just ignoring us and having this momentum die out. For the past 4 weeks, our numbers have only increased," she said.
People take part in a Pro-Palestine rally in Montreal, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
A RIGHT TO DEMONSTRATE?
The future of Montrealers' ability to demonstrate was questioned earlier this week when Quebec Premier Francois Legault wouldn't rule out banning demonstrations surrounding the war.
He made the comment after two Jewish schools were shot at in Montreal, acts his education minister called "a form of terrorism."
Police presence around Jewish institutions has grown in recent days as officers investigate violent acts near education and faith centres. On Sunday, police confirmed one Jewish school had been shot at for a second time in a matter of days.
Montreal police are analyzing the "from the river to the sea" slogan heard at Sunday's march. Police say they aim to determine whether it crosses into hate speech.
Those words have been echoed all over the world as protestors call for an end to this most recent instance of violence in the region. They have also drawn controversy since their meaning can be interpreted differently, depending on who hears them.
Many Palestinian activists say it's a call for peace and equality after 75 years of Israeli statehood and decades-long Israeli military rule over millions of Palestinians. Jews may hear it as a demand for Israel's destruction.
PEACE AND COLLABORATION
Since the Israel-Hamas war began, there has been a significant spike in hate crimes in Montreal.
Police statistics gathered from Oct. 7 (the start of the war) to Nov. 7 reveal 98 reported hate crimes in the city. Of those, 73 were against the Jewish community, while 25 were against the Arab-Muslim community -- though both numbers are likely under-reported.
In a separate event Sunday, a diverse group of women from various professional fields joined in calls for peace and collaboration among Montrealers in the face of war in the Middle East.
The event was organized by anti-racism group CRARR, and featured Palestinian and Jewish members on the panel. They urged people to speak out for what they believe is correct and do it peacefully.
People take part in a Pro-Palestinian rally in Montreal, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
"To the people that committed these acts of violence, they have no place in our society," said McGill University public policy professor Pearl Eliadis. "None of them speak for any of us."
"It's not up to Jews to face anti-Semitism alone. The same way that it's not up to Muslims to face Islamaphobia alone," said Mélissa Rina Shriqui of Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom.
-- Published with files from CTV's Matt Grillo and Max Harrold and The Associated Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Is it cold, flu or norovirus? Symptoms explained
The highly contagious norovirus is spreading across Canada, with some symptoms overlapping with other viruses. CTVNews.ca spoke with a health expert to find out how you can tell you have norovirus, the most common form of stomach flu, and what to do if you have it.
Freeland leaves capital gains tax change out of coming budget implementation bill, here's why
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will be tabling yet another omnibus bill to pass a sweeping range of measures promised in her April 16 federal budget, though left out of the legislation will be the government's proposed capital gains tax change.
Anger can harm your blood vessel function, study shows
Stress and anger can have a negative impact on cardiovascular health, studies have shown. New research points to just how the mechanism may work.
Ontario's police watchdog continues probe of high-speed pursuit involving fatal crash
The investigation continues into a collision that killed two grandparents and their infant grandchild during a high-speed police chase on the wrong way of Highway 401 east of Toronto.
Ontario woman surprised after 20-year-old fines suddenly tank credit score
An Ontario woman says that she was shocked when fines from 20 years ago suddenly tanked her credit score last week, but the situation may not be as unusual as it seems, according to at least one debt expert.
Search continues for 'armed man' in Dartmouth, N.S.
Police say they continue to search for an armed man who allegedly threatened people in Dartmouth, N.S.
Swarm of bees delays Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles game in Arizona. An 'MVP' beekeeper came to the rescue
Major League Baseball fans had an unexpected buzz on Tuesday after a swarm of bees delayed the Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers game for around two hours.
Newfoundland fisherman says police broke his leg during protest that delayed budget
Richard Martin is spending this year's fishing season on land after he says a Royal Newfoundland Constabulary officer broke his left leg in three places during a protest last month that shut down the provincial legislature.
It's opening day for the $34B Trans Mountain oil pipeline expansion
Wednesday marks the official start date of the long-awaited $34-billion Trans Mountain oil pipeline expansion project.