Pro-Palestinian demonstrators hold rally in Vancouver
Posted October 19, 2023 11:32 pm.
Last Updated October 20, 2023 9:37 am.
Hundreds joined a rally in support of Palestinians Thursday night. Demonstrators started at Vancouver City Hall and made their way through parts of the city.
Organizers say they’re demanding the end of the genocide and standing with people in Gaza. Israel’s defense minister promised a ground invasion of Gaza on Thursday, telling Palestinians living in the enclave to take refuge as the Israel-Hamas war continues.
The rally was organized by the Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network alongside the Palestinian Youth Movement, with the groups specifically taking a stand against Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim and other government officials.
The group says Sim and other councillors have been outwardly supporting the Jewish community, and not showing support for the Palestinian community. This comes after Sim drew attention for attending the “We Stand With Israel” rally in Vancouver flanked by provincial MLAs and federal MPs.
The Vancouver Police Department says the demonstration closed off traffic on West 12th Avenue between Cambie and Main streets for parts of the evening.
Police say the rally saw demonstrators disrupt traffic in the area of 10th Avenue and Yukon Street as well as the Cambie Street Bridge.
The group has another rally scheduled for Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Vancouver Art Gallery, this time calling it a “mass march and rally for Palestinian liberation.”
