By Jack Brittle, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
On June 6, a group of students from M.M. Robinson High School organized a walkout in support of Palestine during its ongoing conflict with Israel.
The protest was held down the street from the high school, on the corner of Guelph Line and Upper Middle Road, and attracted around 65-70 students.
Protesters were adorned with Palestinian flags and face paint, and watermelon earrings (the watermelon, which, when cut open, displays the colours of the Palestinian flag, has long been a symbol of Palestine). They held signs that read “Free Palestine,” “Ceasefire Now,” and “Viva Viva Palestina.” Some also wore the traditional Palestinian headdress, the keffiyeh.
Anousha Tanveer, one of the organizers, spoke about the need to speak out against the atrocities going on in Gaza.
“We’re seeing the dead bodies of women, just innocent lives being lost,” Tanveer said. “That doesn’t sit well with me. Just as a human, that does not sit well with me.”
“This is how we’re getting our message out,” Tanveer continued. “And we want a ceasefire. We want the innocent lives to stop being taken. And that’s exactly what’s motivating us here today.”
The event also attracted a group of counter-protesters, who were set up across the street. Around 25 people were seen waving Canadian flags and playing “O Canada” through a speaker.
They held signs saying, “Free Gaza from Hamas”, “Honk if you love Canada,” and “No to Marxism, Terrorism, and Anti-Semitism.” One also had a sign commemorating the anniversary of D-Day.
Rabbi David Mivasair from the Independent Jewish Voices Canada made a speech on the pro-Palestine side and voiced his support for the students. He spoke about why he thinks it’s important for the students to air their grievances about what’s going on in Gaza.
“Palestine is being attacked and Canada supports the attack,” Mivasair said. “Literally millions of people are suffering, and we all need to try and stop that.”
“I’m a conscientious Jewish person, I have an absolute moral responsibility to use my position, my privilege, and my voice to do what I can to help end this injustice,” Mivasair continued.
He commented on the notion that protests in support of Palestine are antisemitic.
“It’s not antisemitic to support justice or to support peace,” Mivasair said. “People use that as an excuse to try and silence and dismiss what we’re doing.”
“They know that if they [the counter-protesters] come out with an Israeli flag, they’ll be dismissed,” Mivasair continued. “So instead, they’re pretending that this is somehow about Canada.”
Tanveer spoke about the way in which the protest may encourage more people to become aware of the pro-Palestinian cause.
“Although our numbers might not be super huge, I think the fact that we’re by a busy intersection where it’s visible to people when they’re driving, they can see that, ‘Hey, students are upset, let’s look into why they’re upset,’” Tanveer said. “And that’s kind of where a lot of the research gets done and people start opening their eyes and seeing that, ‘Hey, this isn’t right. What’s happening isn’t right.’”
Several Halton police cruisers were also stationed around the event. One officer said they were simply there to keep the peace.
“We’re just here to make sure both sides are civil and that there are no safety issues.”
A Palestinian student, who chose to remain anonymous due to safety concerns, spoke about her experience during this conflict and the need to speak out on behalf of those suffering in Gaza.
“You just feel helpless,” she said. “You just kind of have to sit there and watch it all happen, knowing you can’t do more than just scream and yell and pray about it. And that’s really all we could do, but I think the Palestinian people themselves are the ones who give you strength in this moment because they’re always together and no matter what happens, they’re always smiling through it all.”
“Our people don’t have a voice,” she continued. “They truly don’t. We are their voice.”
