Organizers of a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Saskatoon announced the launch of a petition to pressure the federal government to welcome more Palestinian refugees into the country.
The announcement was made during the weekly march in support of residents of the Gaza Strip.
We ask the government to open or at least we put pressure [pour qu’il ouvre] immigration to Palestinians, the same way they did to Syrians, Afghans or Ukrainians
mentions Mohammed Abushar, one of the organizers.
Why should Palestinians be any different?
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Mohammed Abushar says he has family and acquaintances in the Gaza Strip. According to what he hears, people are under bombs and struggling to find drinking water and food.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Albert Couillard
On December 21, the federal Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Marc Miller, announced a new program intended to offer visas to 1,000 Palestinians. They will be able to take refuge in Canada for three years if their families agree to support them financially.
Several voices considered this number insufficient, calling on the government to remove the limit on people who can seek refuge in Canada.
But Ottawa indicated that the ceiling of 1,000 refugees could be revised depending on the development of the situation in the Gaza Strip.
At the end of February, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada confirmed the acceptance of 986 applications that were being processed.
Six months of war and demonstrations
About a hundred people showed up at Saskatoon city hall on Saturday for this weekly meeting. Since the start of the demonstrations in October, the organization ensures that not a week has passed without a demonstration, °C this winter”,”text”:”even at -40°C this winter”}}”>even at -40°C this winter
.
As usual, a few speeches were given, including that of a doctor who mentioned having gone to Gaza during the conflict, but returned to Ottawa. In his speech made on the telephone, he denounces, among other things, the malnutrition of children and the bombs which hit the Palestinian enclave.
A reality which, even six months later, is difficult for some demonstrators to hear. I would like people to see Palestinians as people, to see them as worthy of life. I want them to see Palestinian children as worthy of growing up
Ashley Shingoose mentions in a trembling voice.
For her, this community is like a family
.
Saskatoon’s pro-Palestine community is also calling on Justin Trudeau’s government to put more pressure on the Israeli government for a ceasefire.
