The annual Al-Quds Day rally was held in front of the American Consulate in Toronto on April 15, 2023.
The event was endorsed by Greater Toronto for BDS, Neturei Karta International (NKI), Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, Oakville Palestinian Rights Association, Socialist Action, Just Peace Advocates/Mouvement Pour Une Paix Juste.
Representatives of the Palestinian Youth Movement and Independent Jewish Voices Canada were speakers at the rally. Members of ILPS Toronto International League for People’s Struggle Solidarity Organization and CPSO Canada Philipines also participated in the rally.
During the Al-Quds Day rally, organizers and participants waved the flags of Palestine, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Hezbollah and the Popular Mobilization Forces (Iraq), and held signs that read:
- When injustice becomes law resistance becomes duty. The star of David = swastika
- Resistance is justified when people are occupied
- Zionism is racism
- Down with Zionism
- Freedom for Palestine
- End Israeli apartheid. Stop Canada’s complicity. Communist Party of Canada
- ISIS & IDF are the same. Only difference is their name AL-Quds Toronto
Organizers and speakers led the crowd in chanting:
- Israel is a terrorist state
- Long live the Intifada, Intifada, Intifada
- From Toronto to Gaza, globalize the Intifada
- From Toronto to Jenin, globalize the Intifada
- From Toronto to Al-Quds, globalize the Intifada
- Settlers, settlers, go back home. Palestine is our home
- Viva, viva Palestina. Viva, viva Intifada
- Raise, raise the flag of the revolution (originally in Arabic)
- Palestine is Arab, from the [river] water to the [sea] water (originally in Arabic)
- Long live Hezbollah
Al-Quds Day committee’s statement:
Thousands of people gathered in front of US consulate to commemorate annual Al-Quds day, on April 15th, 2023 at 3:00 pm. The theme of this year rally was “Apartheid in Israel, Anti-Palestinian racism in Canada”
This day is typically held worldwide on the last Friday of the Islamic Holy month of Ramadhan. Protestors, young and old, gathered to condemn the oppression upon the Palestinians and all other nations that are victims of war.
The rally began with numerous chants condemning the Government and all those alike for supporting injustice against the Palestinians in Palestine and in Canada. People shouted slogans such as, “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” “Down down Israel,” and “From Iraq to Palestine, Occupation is a crime.”
Respected Scholars, human right activist, Rabbi’s, holocaust survivor and children spoke at the protest delivering informative speeches, passionate talks, follow-up action items and spoken words.
One of the spoken word poetry highlighted the keffiyeh incident, early in March 2023 at West Park School (K to Grade 9) in Halifax NS, during “Culture Day,” students from Palestinian-Canadian background wore a “keffiyeh” head scarves as part of their heritage. They were told by the principal to remove their keffiyehs or be sent home. The reason given was that the keffiyeh was “a symbol of war.” The children’s performing the spoken word, conveyed their message loud and clear – “No student in Canada should ever be targeted and made to feel inferior or afraid because of heritage or religion, etc.”
Protesters then marched around Downtown holding banners and placards, chanting slogans for the Palestinians freedom and against anti-Palestinians racism in Canada
Participants were encouraged to continue their struggle with few important follow up action items.
Canadians, from all walks of life, stood tall in the sunny and hot weather conditions, with deep concerns about humans rights violations and injustice for all oppressed people specially Palestinians. They demanded an immediate end to their 75 years long oppression and colonization and to stop anti-Palestinian racism in Canada.
Please refer to following link for Complete Toronto Al-Quds Day Walk Photo Coverage.