Winnipeg social media post claims Oct. 7 as ‘world awakening day’

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A post on social media is fueling controversy ahead of an event planned for Oct. 7 at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR).

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The post, shared by a user identified as @wpg4palistinehub, is calling for a gathering at 6 p.m. on the museum’s steps to mark what the post refers to as “World Awakening Day.” Participants are encouraged to bring a flameless candle to the event. However, the message in the post has drawn criticism for promoting hate and division.

The post claims Oct. 7 as a day for the world to “wake up” and question the legitimacy of the State of Israel. It references historical events, including the 1948 Nakba, and makes incendiary accusations about Israel’s actions towards Palestinians. In the post, the speaker states, “October 7th is not theirs. It’s ours!” and goes on to describe Israel as a “terrorist state” while accusing it of committing massacres and genocide.

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Such inflammatory language has sparked concern among community members, given the CMHR’s role in promoting understanding and human rights. Many fear the rhetoric could escalate tensions at a time when conversations around the Israel-Palestine conflict are already highly charged.

Winnipeg police provided a statement earlier this week about events on Oct. 7, noting the potential for protests or counter-protests to occur at the museum and reminding the public that there will be a police presence. There is also a gathering planned to mark the anniversary at the Asper Campus on Oct. 7. The Winnipeg Police Service will be on hand to monitor both events.

The Winnipeg Police Service respects the right to freedom of expression and lawful assembly. The expectation is that citizens will behave peacefully and respectfully. Police must balance the rights of individuals to gather with the need to ensure public safety and keep the peace.

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Gustavo Zentner, vice president, Manitoba and Saskatchewan for The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) provided the following statement to the Winnipeg Sun, “The Jewish Federation of Winnipeg and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) strongly condemn the revisionist history and incitement expressed by an event calling itself World Awakening Day — a gathering intended to deny the atrocities of October 7, 2023, when 1,200 innocent people were killed by Hamas terrorists in Israel, and being promoted to take place at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

There is global recognition that Hamas, a listed terrorist organization in Canada, perpetrated several horrific, inhumane attacks against innocent civilians in Israel. Hamas terrorists and its followers raped women and girls, killed babies, and slaughtered not just Israelis but people of varying nationalities and religions.

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To call Israel a “terrorist state” instead of denouncing the actual listed terrorist entity Hamas, its fighters and its supporters is gross misinformation, and a campaign intended to demonize Israel.

Claiming October 7 as “not theirs [Israelis]” but rather “ours [Hamas supporters]” is antithetical to the values Canadians cherish.

To link October 7, 2023, with reference to Nakba Day in 1948 is an attempt to reset the facts and set a dangerous precedent that October 7 was justified. There is no justification for kidnapping, raping, and barbaric murder of innocent children, elderly, women and men.

Statements like these are exactly why there has been such a massive increase in antisemitism faced by Jews around the world and right here at home in Winnipeg.

We call on public officials, community leaders, policymakers, and all citizens to reject this dangerous rhetoric and stand with the Jewish community in denouncing hatred and violence.”

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