A clip from an interview with a pro Palestine supporter in front of Victoria Hall on Sunday, December 10, 2023 has got strong condemnation from local politicians.
The Tweet (X) from Today’s Northumberland has been viewed more than 377,000 times over the last several days.
Approximately 20 supporters including young children stood in front of Victoria Hall on Sunday calling for a cease fire.
People holding posters stating “Free Palestine,” and “Stop the Genocide in Gaza” were demanding Canada take more action.
Today’s Northumberland spoke to a 28-year-old woman named Eman said she is from Gaza where her brother was killed by a Israeli sniper, but has been living in Canada since 2015.
During the interview Eman said, sometimes violence is needed to made the government listen.
“From what I learned here in Canada – I’ve been taking some courses from Indigenous people and their rights and how they get some of their rights. Sometimes you have be violent, a little bit, so the government and people can hear your voice.”
“I learned from Canadian schools and Canadian universities because I studied here and I took some political courses, Indigenous courses from political people that they had to protest, they had to do some violence so the government can hear them and give them a little bit from their rights.”
Taynar Simpson, Chief of Alderville First Nation north of Cobourg stated to Today’s Northumberland, “Although there are parallels between the plight of the Palestinian people and the plight of Indigenous people in Canada there is absolutely no justification at anytime for the massacre of unarmed citizens. The killing of innocent civilians on both sides of this war must stop immediately.
The comments made by this individual are abhorrent. I am not sure which Indigenous “courses” she was referring too, but I think she misunderstood the lesson.”
Hours after the video was posted, there was strong condemnation from local politicians.
Northumberland-Peterborough South MP Philip Lawrence stated, “The evil acts that Hamas terrorists committed against innocent civilians on October 7 were not “necessary.”
Incredibly troubling to hear this hateful talk in our community.”
Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini responded to the woman saying, “You say violence is justified: Is raping women and kidnapping children what you are talking about? This has never been taught in our education system!
I am deeply troubled that someone who lives in my community harbours these beliefs; they have no place in Canada!”
Nahid Widaatalla said the people taking part in the protest were from Cobourg and a lot of them were from the Muslim community and the local mosque.
When Today’s Northumberland contacted the mosque in Cobourg, Mohamed Mostafa stated, “Masjid Al-Ghafoor didn’t prepare or organize this event.
Mostafa further stated, “(the)Muslim community of Northumberland (MCN) stands with human rights in general and also fruitful dialogues that can produce meaningful results.”
(Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland and Northumberland County Warden Mandy Martin declined to comment)
Video – Protestors in front of Victoria Hall in Cobourg Call for End of “Genocide” in Palestine
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
