A group of protesters marched past offices of all three levels of government Friday evening, demanding an end to bombing in Gaza and an end to a blockade stopping humanitarian aid from entering the area.
About 40 people participated in the peaceful demonstration, which began at 6 p.m. directly in front of the Ronald A. Irwin Civic Centre. From there, the protesters marched to Elgin Street to hold a moment of silence in front of MPP Ross Romano's office before ending on Queen Street at the front of the office of MP Terry Sheehan.
Protest organizer Rimaz Abakar told the crowd the intention of the protest was peace for all sides of the conflict.
“To see people coming out regardless of their religion, their ethnic backgrounds, their political affiliations, come out and say stop the violence and stop the senseless killing and get along with it and make peace — enough is enough — it’s very heartwarming," said Abakar.
She said it's not up to world leaders to end the conflict.
"It's up to us to send a strong message to the people of Gaza and the people of Israel to say we want peace — the world wants peace for you and want you to coexist,” said Abakar.
The war began on Oct. 7, when fighters with the Islamist militant group Hamas killed more than 1,400 people in southern Israel and abducted an estimated 200 others. Since then, Israel has responded with a steady bombardment of missiles into the region, preventing Gaza from receiving any food, water, fuel or medicine.
On Friday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres told reporters on Egyptian side of Gaza's Rafah crossing that trucks full of relief supplies need to be allowed into the territory as quickly as possible. It is "impossible to be here and not feel a broken heart," he said.
Dania Kuzbari, who spoke during the Friday event in Sault Ste. Marie, said no voice is too little to help end the conflict.
Organizers reached out to local leaders for support and received responses from two city councillors, but none were in attendance. Remarks by Ward 2 councillor Lisa Vezeau-Allen were read in front of city hall.
Some protesters held up signs or flags as they marched along the streets of downtown Sault Ste. Marie chanting about wanting peace now or freeing Palestine. Some signs asked for a ceasefire or humanitarian aid, while others had more charged language.
Abakar told the crowd it has been heartbreaking to see the images coming out of the conflict.
“We are humans, we feel for humanity and when it hurts one of us, it hurts all of us. That’s why we’re here tonight, it’s not because we are for anybody or against anyone, we are here for humanity,” she said.
When the crowd arrived at the front of Sheehan's office for a candlelight vigil, some remarks from Ward 1 city councillor Sonny Spina were read aloud and Indigenous drummer Adam Hayward sang and drummed in solidarity with the protesters.
Demonstrators left electric candles and their protest signs along the front of Sheehan's office before marching back toward city hall.
Following are the full remarks sent to the protesters by Ward 1 councillor Sonny Spina:
Good evening everyone,
Unfortunately, I am away travelling and not able to be with you all in person tonight.
Everyone here is gathered to share a single message of peace and unity across the world.
Today, this message could not be more important.
I want to thank you all for your engagement and leadership in bringing this message forward.
I recognize that this is a complex conflict with a long history and many different perspectives.
While like-minded individuals like us meet to share a vision of peaceful coexistence, there are sadly, those that exist that do not share that vision.
My heart goes out the lives that have been lost and impacted on all sides of this conflict.
I hope and pray for a day when we will all come together to celebrate peace and unity in the region, and across the globe,
but Sadly, today is not yet that day.
Although I do not have all of the answers, one thing I am sure of is that the path to peace will not be paved by further bloodshed.
It will be paved by those who are willing to engage in the thoughtful exchange of perspectives while striving for acceptance and a deeper understanding of each other.
I admire each person that has attended here this evening.
You all share in a message of peace. A message that will be heard louder than any gunfire and a message that will last longer than any evil.
Thank you all for being the brave voices for peace and unity in our community and across the world.
Together, let us all stand united in the care and love of our neighbours.
— Sonny Spina