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First major cross-border rally in 30 years draws large crowds from both Canada and the US

Nearly 2,000 particiate in Palestine Cross-Border Rally in Niagara Falls, Coming From As Far Away as Montreal
Niagara-on-the-Lake-Local Staff

NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA PALESTINE COALITION
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Up to 2,000 Palestine supporters demonstrated in Niagara Falls in a cross-border rally, coming from as far away as Montreal. on Sunday, July 21, gathering at 1:00 p.m.. This was the biggest Palestine rally in Niagara since the events of October, 2023 and the biggest cross-border peace rally in 30 years. The Canadian side marched from Stanley Ave. and Highway 420 to the border while those on the US side gathered at Prospect Point Observation Point. Supporters came by chartered busses and car caravans.

Niagara Palestine Coalition’s (NPC) partners on the Canadian side: York Region 4 Palestine, Hamilton 4 Palestine, Milton Palestine Action Committee, Oakville-Halton 4 Palestine, Mississauga-Streetsville 4 Palestine, Scarborough SW for Palestine, Friends of Palestine Canada, Liberate Palestine 48, Toronto 4 Palestine, and Independent Jewish Voices Hamilton; on the US side: Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) Buffalo, Christian Peace Collective of WNY, and Allies Against Apartheid WNY.

Mohammed Murad of the NPC said, “As a Palestinian living in Niagara, it was an emotional moment for me to watch the two rallies converge on each side of the colonial border, united in our call for a Free and liberated Palestine!”

NPC spokesperson Gabriel Gebril added, “We proved to ourselves that we are strong, we are not alone, and that we are united.”

Derek Seidman of JVP Buffalo explained, “As Jews of conscience, we demand an end to the horrific genocide that Israel, fully backed by the US and Canada, is committing in Gaza.”

The NPC was founded in the wake of the October crisis in Palestine in 2023 and has members from diverse backgrounds including Palestinians, Jews, Indigenous peoples, academics, union activists, students, youth, retirees, of various faiths, across the Niagara region of Ontario. It has organized weekly demonstrations in Niagara on Sundays as well as fundraisers and educational events.

JVP Buffalo is the fastest growing Jewish organization in Western New York. JVP Buffalo regularly hosts educational, political, and social events to protest Israel's assault on Palestinian human rights and the weaponization of antisemitism to silence critics of Israel. It is working to grow a Western New York Jewish community that rejects political Zionism and fights for Palestinian freedom.