Pro-Palestine rally held in downtown Ottawa as mayor condemns Hamas attack on Israel
A pro-Palestine rally was held in downtown Ottawa Sunday, one day after Hamas launched an attack against Israel.
More than 100 people attended, saying Palestinians have the right to resist occupation. Demonstrators waved Palestinian flags and held signs with slogans such as "End Zionist colonization of Palestine now" and "respect existence or expect resistance." Some Communist iconography could also be seen among the protesters.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered outside Ottawa's Human Rights Monument on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, one day after Hamas launched an attack against Israel. (Katelyn Wilson/CTV News Ottawa)
"They have a right to defend themselves from occupation and they have a right to defend themselves from colonization," said Sarah Abdul-Karim with the Palestinian Youth Movement. "We are here to uplift that right and call on our government to stop supporting the ongoing occupation."
A small number of people with Israeli flags held a counter-demonstration nearby.
After rallying at the Human Rights Monument, demonstrators marched through downtown streets with police following slowly behind.
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
- Sign up now for our nightly CTV News Ottawa newsletter
The Palestinian Youth Movement promoted the rally at the Human Rights Monument on Elgin Street in a post on Instagram.
The post by the group advertising the rally was celebratory of Saturday's attack. The post did not name Hamas, which is considered a designated terrorist entity in Canada, but referred to the "resistance in Gaza." In Arabic, the post referenced the "Al-Aqsa Flood", the name coined by Hamas for the operation that was launched this weekend.
"We call on our people in Ottawa and in the far diaspora to celebrate the resistance's success, to uplift their calls, and to march this Sunday, Oct. 8 at 2 p.m. at the Human Rights Monument (220 Elgin St.)," the post said.
It has since been removed from Instagram.
Ottawa police said on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, that officers would be on hand to monitor the "unplanned demonstration" and warned of possible traffic delays.
"Officers will be in the area to ensure public safety," police said.
"As with all demonstrations, officers attend to ensure the safety and protect the rights of demonstrators and the public. There is no tolerance for vehicle-based demonstrations and unlawful behaviour will be addressed."
Pro-Palestine protesters march down George Street in Ottawa's ByWard Market after rallying at the Human Rights Monument Oct. 8, 2023. The protest comes one day after Hamas launched a surprise attack against Israel. (Ted Raymond/CTV News Ottawa)
Mayor condemns Hamas attack
Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe has spoken out against the attacks by Hamas in Israel this weekend.
The mayor posted to social media to say he's spoken with leaders on Ottawa's Jewish community to offer support and express his "shock and condemnation" of the attack.
"Israel has the right to defend itself against terrorism. On behalf of all Ottawa residents, I stand in solidarity with Ottawa's Jewish community," Sutcliffe said.
He reiterated that Ottawa police have stepped up patrols around Jewish institutions and places of worship. Police are also increasing their presence around mosques.
"We will continue to monitor the situation and support members of the community as the situation evolves. You are all in my thoughts," Sutcliffe said.
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
- Sign up now for our nightly CTV News Ottawa newsletter
Police announced their intention to increase patrols around synagogues and mosques on Saturday in the wake of the attack, which came the morning of Simchat Torah, a Jewish holiday. Hundreds of people have been killed in the fighting and Hamas took hostages back to Gaza.
Israel officially declared war on Sunday.
The Jewish Federation of Ottawa is planning a solidarity rally to be held outside the Soloway Jewish Community Centre on Nadolny Sachs Private Monday at 7:30 p.m.
"The Jewish Federation of Ottawa stands with Israel. We pray for the safety of Israel's citizens as well as the brave military forces working to protect our people and our homeland," it said in an email.
--With files from CTV News Ottawa's Katelyn Wilson.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air Canada union head says she'll resign if pilots reject deal
The head of the Air Canada pilots union says she'll step down if members opt not to approve a tentative deal with the airline, raising the stakes as aviators mull whether to accept hefty salary gains or drive an even harder bargain.
2 suspended from U.S. college swim team after report of slur scratched onto student's body
At least two students at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania have been suspended from the swim team after a report that a racial slur was scratched onto a student's body, officials said.
How does your health measure up? Criticism of long-time tool used to track progress
Body mass index, a long-time tool used to measure a person's health, may soon be out the door as some health professionals push for a system they say is more accurate.
Sunken superyacht believed to contain watertight safes with sensitive intelligence data
Specialist divers surveying the wreckage of the US$40 million superyacht that sank off Sicily in August, killing seven people including British tech tycoon Mike Lynch, have asked for heightened security to guard the vessel, over concerns that sensitive data locked in its safes may interest foreign governments, multiple sources told CNN.
Kate, the Princess of Wales, makes first public appearance after cancer treatment
Kate, the Princess of Wales, made her first public appearance Sunday since she announced she had completed chemotherapy and would return to some public duties.
Challengers make gains in banking, but it's a long road to higher market share
It’s not easy going up against Canada’s banking oligopoly, but some are trying.
North Carolina's Robinson, omitted from Trump rally, avoids comment on report about online posts
North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson avoided directly weighing in during a gubernatorial campaign event Saturday on a CNN report outlining evidence that he made disturbing posts on a pornography website's message board more than a decade ago.
Netanyahu considering plan to force all Palestinian civilians out of northern Gaza to besiege Hamas
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering a plan to force all Palestinian civilians out of northern Gaza, including Gaza City, in order to lay siege to Hamas and force the release of hostages.
'Hubris and greed': Takeaways from the first week of U.S. Coast Guard inquiry into the Titan submersible disaster
More than a year after the Titan submersible imploded, killing all five voyagers on board, the story of the ill-fated expedition to the Titanic has taken the form of a modern-day Greek tragedy overflowing with mortal pride and heedlessness.