Thousands demand end to Gaza bloodshed in demonstrations across Canada

TORONTO - Thousands of people, some using stark visual images to illustrate their outrage, demanded that Canada not take sides in the ongoing Middle East conflict in pro-Palestinian demonstrations across the country Saturday.

Police estimated about 2,000 protesters were packed outside the Israeli Consulate in Toronto calling for an end to Israeli attacks in Gaza.

Many of the protesters were children who carried graphic signs depicting some of the youngest victims of the violence in Gaza. One little girl held a baby doll wrapped in a white sheet, stained with fake blood.

She was the daughter of Isser Baker, whose entire family was with him at the protest. He said he has told his children what is going on.

"They understand exactly what is happening (in Gaza). Children are without food, without medicine, without school."

Amir Ghorvei may only be 10 years old, but it wasn't his first protest. The boy from Mississauga, Ont., attended with his mother, but he knew exactly why he had come.

"I think that the war on Gaza should stop," he said.

"Palestinians are getting killed every day and Harper doesn't want to do a thing about it."

The crowd was predominantly made up of Palestinian protesters, although a small contingent of Jewish supporters were also in the crowd, separated from the others by a police barricade.

Although the protest was peaceful, the mood was still tense and an Israeli flag was burned by some protesters.

Much of the protesters' criticism was launched toward the federal government as they spoke out against what they considered to be unabashed support of Israel.

"John Baird was quoted as saying the resisters in Palestine are cowards," said Ali Mallah of the Canadian Arab Federation.

"Well I have news for you John Baird and Stephen Harper, the only coward we know is Stephen Harper and his government."

Mallah's comments were met with cheers and chants of "shame on you."

Sentiments were much the same in Ottawa, where a gathering of 1,500 people protested peacefully on Parliament Hill.

"You have sadly moved Canada away from our tradition of being in the forefront of defenders of international law and human rights," said Samah Sabawi, reading from an open letter to the prime minister.

"We need for you to acknowledge the fact that you represent all Canadians - all Canadians, Mr. Prime Minister - including Arab Canadians, including Palestinian Canadians. We are all waiting to hear from you."

Protesters also heard from a woman via cellphone in Gaza, identified only as Eva.

She described in detail the "carnage" she said she's witnessed against defenceless civilians. She accused Israel of deploying "illegal chemical weapons," specifically white phosphorus.

In Montreal, more than 1,000 vocal demonstrators fought off the sting of -15 C weather to march through city.

Hundreds waved placards, some of which read: "End the siege in Gaza now!" and "Save Gaza, stop the massacre."

"It's a real war (that's) happening over there," said protester Mohammed Salhi, 21.

Salhi, who says he has many friends in Palestine, said the Canadian government must stand up with other countries and demand that the fighting stop.

His little brother Ahmed, 13, said the governments must act quickly.

"Civilians are dying," he said. "We are here to support them."

Hundreds of people gathered in the pouring rain in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery for a protest that spilled onto a downtown street and stopped traffic.

Demonstrators chanted "Free Gaza" as speakers condemned Israel.

Murray Martin, 45, who stood in the rain to watch the rally, accused Israel of war crimes.

"I don't really think of it as a response, as more of an invasion," Martin said.

"Even if you give Israel the benefit of the doubt, that Hamas did start this, the attack is extremely disproportionate."

He said the Canadian government needs to end its silence and call for Israel to stop.

"I think it's shameful - I'm ashamed to be Canadian," he said.

Other demonstrations were also scheduled across the country, including events in Halifax, Fredericton, Calgary and Victoria.

Similar protests also drew sizable crowds last weekend, including thousands in Montreal.