Hundreds gathered at a pro-Palestinian rally outside the Manitoba legislature Saturday to acknowledge the one-year anniversary of the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
Demonstrators are marching to Portage Avenue and Main Street and back Saturday afternoon, while condemning Israel’s military offensive in the Middle East.
“We demand a ceasefire,” Ramsey Zeid, president of the Canadian Palestinian Association of Manitoba, which organized the event, told the Free Press ahead of the rally.
MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS
Hundreds gathered at a pro-Palestinian rally outside the Manitoba legislature Saturday.
Zeid said demonstrators are taking part to show their support for Gaza and mourn Palestinians who’ve been killed by Israel’s military action.
The war began after Hamas-led armed groups carried out a terror attack on Israeli citizens Oct. 7, 2023. Israel responded with a military offensive that continues today. The conflict has spilled into neighbouring countries.
The Winnipeg Police Service said it is increasing its patrols or presence at various sites, including places of worship, amid the Jewish High Holidays and demonstrations or gatherings to mark the start of the war.
Several marked and unmarked police vehicles were seen at the rally Saturday.
On Monday, local Jewish organizations are hosting a walk and solidarity rally in support of Israel and the Jewish community in Winnipeg.
“The events of Oct. 7 were horrific and shocking to Israelis and Jews across the world, and certainly Jews in Winnipeg,” said Jeff Lieberman, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Manitoba.
The anniversary coincides with Judaism’s High Holy Days, the 10-day period spanning Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.
Zeid and Lieberman both noted Winnipeg residents with family and friends in the Middle East are concerned about their safety.
Amid increased security, Winnipeg police commended demonstration organizers “for finding the balance between gathering to highlight their concerns while refraining from conducting counter-protests.”
“Members will focus their attention on places of worship and gathering places during their regular duties, with officers dedicated to this task at times where large gatherings are expected,” a police news release said.
“With the increase in hate-related incidents, both anti-Semitic and Islamophobic, we are working with community leaders to help everyone feel safe.”
Israel said almost 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage in the Oct. 7 attack. The dead included former Winnipeg resident Vivian Silver, who moved to Israel in 1974. She was a co-founder of Women Wage Peace, while advocating for an end to Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS
Demonstrators are marching to Portage Avenue and Main Street and back Saturday afternoon.
Israel has said about 100 hostages remain in Gaza, with about one-third of them believed to be dead.
Gaza’s health ministry has said more than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 96,000 wounded in Israel’s ensuing military offensive.
chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca
Chris Kitching
Reporter
Chris Kitching is a general assignment reporter at the Free Press. He began his newspaper career in 2001, with stops in Winnipeg, Toronto and London, England, along the way. After returning to Winnipeg, he joined the Free Press in 2021, and now covers a little bit of everything for the newspaper. Read more about Chris.
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