St. John's march in support of Palestinians draws hundreds to call for ceasefire

Hundreds of people marched along Water Street in downtown St. John's on Sunday afternoon to show support for Palestinians in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

It's the third straight Sunday that people in the city have rallied in support of Palestinians.

This time, more than 300 people gathered in Harbourside Park and marched to the steps of the St. John's courthouse.

Since the Oct. 7Hamas attack and the subsequent Israeli military response, thousands have been killed on both sides of the conflict. Israel says the initial Hamas attack killed 1,400 people, while Gaza's Health Ministry says the death toll among Palestinians has now passed 8,000.

WATCH | Hundreds march towardthe courthouse in downtown St. John's as part of rally for Palestinians:

St. John's march in support of Palestinians draws hundreds to call for ceasefire

12 months ago

Duration 1:44

Hundreds march for Palestinians in St. Johns

In St. John's, Salma Awad spoke to the assembled crowd between loud chants and cheers.

"I'm disappointed to be back again, but I do still pray this is my last time but we have to raise our voices, we have to keep showing up, we have to keep our solidarity with the Palestinian people," she said.

Awad, who was born and raised in Gaza, says she still has aunts, uncles and cousins there, seeing the violence first-hand.

"We are worried sick for our relatives. These people are not numbers, they're families, lives, dreams, and deserve to live in freedom with dignity." she said.

"All I ask you is to keep writing letters, keep calling your elected leaders, keep the pressure on, keep marching, keep fighting and keep believing."

Several speakers called on the federal government to push for a ceasefire and an end to occupation.

Carmella Gray-Cosgrove was one of them.

"As a mother, I see your suffering, I say ceasefire now. As a Jew, I see the horror, I say end the occupation. As a human, I see the injustice, I say free Palestine."

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