Large pro-Palestinian demonstrations engulfed downtown Montreal on Tuesday to commemorate two years of conflict in Gaza. Student associations from numerous CEGEPs and universities in the city, representing over 46,000 students, voted to strike in solidarity with Palestinians and the victims of Israeli military actions in Gaza.
Protesters, many sporting keffiyehs, gathered near Mackay Street and de Maisonneuve Boulevard around 1 p.m., with a significant police presence in the vicinity. Concordia University closed its downtown campus for the day to prevent potentially disruptive protests, allowing faculty to switch to remote teaching if feasible.
The decision to shut down the campus was made to safeguard the community, according to Graham Carr, the university’s president. Demonstrations also occurred on Monday as part of the ongoing series of events marking the conflict’s anniversary.
The demonstrations included calls for divestment from Israel and denouncements of genocide, with some protesters lighting smoke bombs and burning an Israeli flag. The crowd marched through downtown streets, chanting and blowing horns.
Students demanded divestment from Israel and criticized school administrations for prioritizing profits over student interests. Rabbi Josh Berkowitz of the Chabad Student Group at Concordia University expressed concern about disruptions affecting students of all backgrounds preparing for exams, emphasizing the need for a safe learning environment.
The protests highlighted the ongoing tensions and deep-rooted sentiments surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with divergent perspectives on the actions taken by both sides.
