On December 27, the Canadian Palestine Support Network, the Peace Alliance Winnipeg and Independent Jewish Voices organized a vigil at the Legislature to mark the one year anniversary of Israel’s murderous assault against the besieged people of Gaza. There were similar vigils and demonstrations around the world and in other Canadian cities to signify solidarity with the Palestinian people. Other actions are occurring in the coming days around the Gaza Freedom March.
About 50 people attended the event at the Legislature which was addressed by representatives of the sponsoring organizations. The vigil opened with a minute of silence. Speakers then documented both the atrocities committed by the Israeli Defence Forces and the complicity of the Canadian Government which failed to take any action to denounce the 22-day attack that left more than 1,400 Palestinians dead. It was pointed out that Gaza today still remains under a blockade and siege that continues to cause untold hardship and suffering for Gazians. The representative of Independent Jewish Voices stressed the importance to oppose the Canadian Government’s support for Israel’s oppression of the Palestinians and the denial of their right to a nation.