More than 100 protesters gathered at the Human Rights Monument on Elgin Street Aug. 10 to demand the Canadian government hold Israel accountable for recent airstrikes on Gaza.

The demonstration was co-organized by Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, the Palestinian Youth Movement, the Association of Palestinian Arab Canadians and supported by Students for Justice in Palestine Carleton.

Several protesters seen holding pro-Palestine signs, while others in the background hold flags of the Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada on Wednesday, Aug 10, 2022 in Ottawa, Ont. [Photo by Dominique Gené]
An organizer of the protest with the Palestinian Youth Movement and a fourth-year psychology student at Carleton University who would only identify herself as Daniella, said she hoped Carleton would divest from corporations that financially support Israel.

Carleton did not comment on whether such investments existed in time for publication.

Raghad Hamida, a third-year computer science student at Carleton and Iyad El Chanati, a second-year computer science student at Carleton, attended the protest.

They told the Charlatan they hoped Carleton would be more outspoken on this issue.

“The reason why I came today is to support my country,” El Chanati said. “No one’s standing with us.”

In an email to the Charlatan, Faris Riazudden, Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA) vice-president (student issues), said he stands with Palestinian Carleton students. He added CUSA council will be having further discussions surrounding Israel and Palestine following recent events.

“I look forward to further contributing to the discussion and advocating for Carleton students on all levels of government,” he wrote.

Feature image by Dominique Gené.

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