A group of pro-Palestinian protesters, some of whom dressed as Santa Claus, gathered at the Canadian Tribute to Human Rights monument in downtown Ottawa. They called for a ceasefire in the conflict in Gaza and demanded an end to the blockade of Gaza, as well as the Canadian financial and military support for Israel’s aggression. The Palestinian Youth Movement organized the protest, expressing concern for the extinction of the Christian population in Gaza and the ongoing genocide there. The group planned to march to the Rideau Centre, distribute information to shoppers about stores to boycott, and then hold a vigil. The protesters expressed a desire to end the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement and to impose an arms embargo. Similar events took place in other cities such as Toronto, New York City, and San Diego. Ottawa police warned of an increased police presence due to potential demonstrations and protests like this had occurred earlier at the Bayshore Shopping Centre.
The United Nations had recently passed a ceasefire resolution, but the situation in Gaza remained unchanged. The Palestinian Youth Movement demanded an immediate ceasefire, in solidarity with the cancellation of Christmas celebrations by Palestinian Christians in the city of Bethlehem. They emphasized their activism was not only for Palestinian and Arab communities but also for other communities, including Indigenous communities and labor groups. They also wanted their voice to reach the government to end the support for the genocide committed against the Palestinian people and call for an end to the 75-year long occupation of Palestinian land. On a personal note, a member of the Palestinian Youth Movement expressed her concerns for the refugees who were considered stateless and didn’t have the rights to citizenship.
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Photo credit ottawacitizen.com