Pro-Palestine demonstration in Surrey begins weekend of action

A large demonstration disrupted traffic in Surrey early Friday evening.

RCMP say between 600 to 700 people gathered in Surrey for a ‘Day of Action for Palestine Protest,’ and a preview of the National Day of Action taking place on Saturday to support Palestinians and call for a ceasefire in the Middle East.

Mounties say the demonstration, which began at the Surrey Civic Plaza, moved onto a busy street.

“It was thought that this was to just be at the Civic Plaza, but the protesters began to march in the Surrey City Center area along King George Boulevard, causing traffic disruptions,” Sgt. Duane Honeyman told CityNews.

Police told CityNews that all demonstrators returned to Civic Plaza around 8:15 p.m. and then cleared out of the area shortly after that.

Earlier Friday, a car drove through a Palestinian solidarity rally that had closed a major intersection in East Vancouver for over an hour in the morning. Vancouver police say they launched an investigation into the incident.

Demonstrations are expected in Nanaimo and Victoria Saturday, and a multi-faith gathering is expected at the Vancouver Art Gallery.

David Mivasair, rabbi and member of Independent Jewish Voices, says it’s important for the Jewish community to stand in solidarity at demonstrations this weekend.

“It’s really significant for Jews to show up because part of the narrative that’s being pushed in Canada and other countries is that somehow, by our Canadian government supporting Israel, it’s supporting the Jews – we need to make it clear that’s not true, it’s a lie,” he said.

“It’s important for us to get out in public and do everything that we can to kind of balance that picture. Some Jews think one way, other Jews think a different way.”

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