Palestine supporters hold demonstration inside Canadian Museum for Human Rights
Dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters stormed the Canadian Museum for Human Rights Sunday morning to bring attention to the human rights crisis in Gaza during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
The rally was organized by several support and solidarity groups, including Queers for Palestine and Peace Alliance.
“We hope that the museum hears us ask for Palestinian voices to be heard,” said co-organizer Alison Moule.
The rally took place on Human Rights Day -- 75 years after the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on Dec. 10, 1948.
“It’s also 75 years that Palestine has been occupied,” said Ramsey Zeid with the Canadian Palestinian Association of Manitoba. “The Nakba happened on May 15, 1948 which has also been 75 years. So it’s been 75 years of oppression.”
Demonstrators say the museum does not mention the 1948 Nakba, or the expulsion and flight of Palestinians. They also claim the museum excludes Palestinians from its exhibits.
“There are exhibits that focus on genocides globally, but there is almost no exhibit that mentions Palestine and the Palestinian liberation struggle,” Moule said.
The museum said it does include stories that touch on Palestinian experiences. In a statement to CTV News, the museum’s vice president of exhibitions Matthew Cutler said the museum has “been working with the Palestinian-Canadian community to develop new gallery content that will help Canadians better understand the human rights violations Palestinians experience every day.”
Cutler added, “Our galleries will never be able to capture every element and experience of human rights. We are thankful for upstanders, protesters, educators and others who, like in today’s protest, add context, perspectives and stories to complement what we are able to offer in our galleries.”
During the rally, dozens of demonstrators staged a 64-minute “die-in,” with each minute representing each day since the current conflict began on Oct. 7 when Hamas militants attacked Israel. The die-in aimed to bring attention to the thousands of Palestinians killed by Israel’s retaliation.
“I feel debilitated by witnessing what’s happening and I feel as though I have an obligation to come here and stand in solidarity,” said Elle-Maija Tailfeathers, one of the demonstrators who participated in the die-in.
Protesters also called on Ottawa to help put an end to the ongoing conflict.
“We hope that the federal government will also call for a ceasefire,” said Moule.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6978604.1721996942!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Paris Olympics begin with unique opening ceremony along the Seine
The Paris Summer Olympics officially get underway today with a unique opening ceremony. Instead of marching into a stadium, representatives from more than 200 competing countries will enter the Games on boats along the River Seine.
BREAKING Canada Soccer head investigating 'systemic ethical shortcoming' amid spying scandal
The head of Canada Soccer said he is investigating a potential "systemic ethical shortcoming" as the organization deals with a drone-spying scandal at the Paris Olympics.
'She led it the whole way': 18-year-old B.C. woman leads hikers to safety in Jasper National Park
As fire threatened people in Jasper National Park, Colleen Knull sprung into action.
DEVELOPING Trudeau, with Australian and New Zealand PMs, pen letter renewing ceasefire calls for Gaza
Prime ministers of Canada, New Zealand and Australia released a letter renewing calls for an “urgent ceasefire” in Gaza on Friday morning.
Arson attacks paralyze French high-speed rail network hours before start of Olympics
Outgoing French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said that sabotage and arson that hit key parts of France's high speed rail network on the eve of the Olympics had 'a clear objective: blocking the high speed train network.'
Latest updates on wildfires in Jasper National Park: Rain, cooler weather limiting spread
Cool and wet weather is making a difference in Jasper National Park.
Search for missing vulnerable 3-year-old child in Mississauga, Ont. continues
Police say the search for a vulnerable child who went missing in Mississauga, Ont. Thursday evening continues. Three-year-old Zaid, who is described as possibly non-verbal, was last seen at 6:20 p.m. in Mississauga’s Erindale Park, near Dundas Street West and Mississauga Road. He was not wearing shoes or socks at the time.
Sunken treasure: Is the champagne nestled in a 19th-century shipwreck still fit for a toast?
A team of Polish divers has discovered the wreckage of an old sailing ship loaded “to the brim” with luxury goods including porcelain items and about 100 bottles of Champagne and mineral water about 58 meters (190 feet) deep off the Swedish coast.
opinion 'Deadpool and Wolverine' review: A love letter to a bygone era
'Deadpool and Wolverine' is a showcase for the bromance stylings of its stars, who pull out all the stops to cap Fox's Marvel movies.