Protestors Take On Museum for Gaza

Palestinian solidarity groups, activists and community members marked international Human Rights Day with a demonstration for Palestinian human rights at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR), to bring attention to the human rights crisis in Gaza, and to call for an immediate ceasefire.

Held in the museum’s front entrance, the demonstration concluded with supporters holding a 64-minute die-in, consisting of a minute for each of the 64 days of the Israeli bombing of Gaza, co-organizer Alison Moule said.“We are calling for a ceasefire and we know that the Canadian Museum for Human Rights has already supported a ceasefire,” said Moule. “But it’s also a federally-funded museum so we’re here to demand that the federal government also support a ceasefire.”Israel’s military response was triggered by the Oct. 7 incursion into Israel by Hamas militants that killed more than 1,400 people with another 240 taken back into Gaza as hostages.“I hope that (Canadians) recognize that there are human rights violations that are happening in Palestine with Canada’s support,” said Moule, highlighting the bombing of civilian infrastructure and civilians and the blockade of food, water and medical supplies. “Canada supports the state of Israel and their actions and that means they support human rights violations.” According to demonstration organizers, Israel’s attack on Gaza has killed over 17,700 people including 7,112 children and displaced 1.9 million people. Sixty-three journalists have been killed, according to the U.S.-based Committee to Protect Journalists.

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Human Rights Day is observed internationally on Dec. 10, marking the day in 1948 the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

“Ironically, it’s been 75 years and it’s been 75 years that the Palestinians have been displaced and 75 years that Gaza has been occupied,” said Ramsey Zeid, President of the Canadian Palestinian Association of Manitoba (CPAM), who attended the demonstration.