Hundreds of pro-Palestine protesters gathered in downtown Ottawa on Feb. 13 to condemn the Canada’s response to the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, and to target Canadian firms allegedly supplying arms and other equipment to the Israeli military.
Laurier Avenue was a sea of green, red, black and white as demonstrators waved Palestine flags and signs in support for Gaza’s while chanting over the beat of drums.
The protests have become a familiar sight in Ottawa since the war began after an Oct. 7 terror attack left more than 1,100 Israeli and foreign nationals dead and more than 250 others taken hostage.
Similar protests have taken place nearly every week as the conflict has unfolded. Israel’s attacks against Hamas have left nearly 30,000 Palestinians dead in Gaza with many critics accusing Israel of genocide.
The Feb. 13 protest was organized and advertised on Instagram bygroups that included the Palestinian Youth Movement, Ottawa 4 Palestine, Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP)-Carleton and more.
One of the protesters’ main concerns was the Canadian government’s response to the conflict.
Many have been calling for a ceasefire and a stronger push from Canada to achieve that goal.
At the centre of the protest, demonstrators held an effigy of Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, with the figure’s outstretched, oversized hands covered in blood.
We see a lot of death, a lot of destruction, a lot of awful things. But to let them see that there’s a big moment of people that come out week after week to try to fight back against that, I think it’s important for them to see and know that they’re part of it, too.
Pierre Blais, father who brought his two children to Feb. 13 protest
The protesters gathered on Elgin Street and marched down to the corner of Laurier and O’Connor, where the headquarters of the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries is located.
CADSI represents Canadian defence and security companies.
Rebecca Gill, one of the protesters, said the federal government’s response has been inadequate, adding she’s concerned about Canadian-sourced equipment being sent to Israel.
“It took them ages to even decide to call for a ceasefire. Our government hasn’t said much about it,” Gill said. “We need more information on what we’re selling to Israel.”
In January, Oxfam Canada and other humanitarian organizations called on Canada and other nations “to immediately halt the direct or indirect transfer of weapons, parts, and ammunition to Israel and Palestinian armed groups while there is a risk they are used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian or human rights law.”
Oxfam and the other humanitarian groups added that, “while Canada does not currently transfer arms to Palestinian armed groups, Canada’s transfer of arms to Israel amounted to $27 million (Cdn) in 2021, a record high since 1987. All UN member states, including Canada, have a legal responsibility to prevent atrocity crimes and ensure the protection of civilians and adherence to international humanitarian law.”
Tyler Champion attended the protest to call for a ceasefire and an end to Israel’s occupation of Gaza and the military attacks that have killed so many Palestinian civilians.
He said he thinks mainstream media coverage of the conflict doesn’t reflect what’s happening.
“I’ve been getting most of my news from people on the ground in Gaza, and their voices are being actively silenced on social media, through the news. I don’t think the coverage has been fair. I don’t think it’s been empathetic,” he said.
“I haven’t seen coverage of the human rights violations that are going on,” Champion added. “All I’ve sort of heard are these politicians who are incredibly removed from the situation doing think pieces at a desk so far away from the devastation.”
“As the national voice representing Canada’s defence, security and cybersecurity companies to decision-makers in Ottawa and across allied nations, CADSI is the bridge between government and industry,” reads the association’s website.
It took them ages to even decide to call for a ceasefire. Our government hasn’t said much about it. We need more information on what we’re selling to Israel.
Rebecca Gill, protester
Protesters handed out pamphlets criticizing CADSI’s alleged role in the loss of Palestinian lives.
“CADSI is an arm of the rich and powerful!” stated the pamphlet. “CADSI represents arms dealers who are directly responsible for the crimes committed with their weaponry.”
Protester Pierre Blais said he brought his two young children to the protest because he wants to show them that in times of war and conflict, people can come together in solidarity.
“We see a lot of death, a lot of destruction, a lot of awful things,” said Blais. “But to let them see that there’s a big moment of people that come out week after week to try to fight back against that, I think it’s important for them to see and know that they’re part of it, too.”
Blais said although there is plenty of social media coverage of the conflict, mainstream media needs to catch up.
“It makes it quite jarring to see how little there is on mainstream media versus what’s coming out in terms of citizen journalists in Gaza and the West Bank,” Blais said. “I don’t think we’re seeing enough on the news, but I think the information is out there and it’s much more accessible than it’s been in the past.”
Blais echoed the concerns of his fellow protesters about the federal government’s stance on the conflict.
“I think standing by and watching a genocide happen is unforgivable. Canada should be taking a strong stance against the Israeli genocide and that’s not what we’re seeing, and it’s quite disappointing.”
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