Pro-Palestinian demonstrators shut down Vancouver’s Burrard Bridge
Posted February 12, 2024 7:08 pm.
Last Updated February 12, 2024 9:27 pm.
Hundreds of Pro-Palestinian demonstrators blocked traffic on the Burrard Bridge during Vancouver’s Monday evening commute.
Posts on X show a large group of people flooding onto the bridge, which connects Kitsilano with downtown Vancouver, around 6:30 p.m.
The ralliers can be heard chanting “Rafah, Rafah, Rafah” in clips of the demonstration posted online, as they shut down traffic in both directions.
At 7:18 p.m., Vancouver police said the demonstrators moved to begin marching east on Pacific Street.
The hashtag #HandsOffRafah is being used, referencing fears that the Israeli military will launch an offensive attack in the city of Rafah, where more than half of Gaza’s population has reportedly fled to escape fighting.
This comes after several similar demonstrations were held over the weekend in Vancouver. For the past five months, since Hamas launched an attack against Israel in October, rallies have been held nearly every weekend in Vancouver.
The protest concluded around 8 p.m., according to police.
-With files from The Associated Press and CityNews staff
