Protesters Against Israel Occupy Parliamentary Building
Parliamentary security officers intercepted 14 people and issued trespass notices after a group of Jews against Israel and Palestinian supporters held a sit-in protest inside an Ottawa parliamentary building on Dec. 3, calling for the federal government to “stop arming and supporting Israel’s genocide.”
Ottawa police were called to support Parliamentary Protective Services (PPS) at a demonstration held by protesters inside the Confederation Building in Ottawa at approximately 8:40 a.m., the Ottawa Police Service told The Epoch Times in a statement. The Confederation Building houses several offices for members of parliament.
Videos shared online show protesters chanting, wearing shirts with messages such as “Jews say stop arming Israel,” and holding banners with various slogans, including “Jews for a free Palestine,” “Jews demand an arms embargo,” and “Ceasefire now.” More than 100 demonstrators participated in the sit-in protest, according to organizers.
Demonstrators were also seen protesting outside the building.
“It’s the bare minimum they need to do,” she said.
Parliament security officers intercepted and released 14 demonstrators.
PPS told The Epoch Times the protest concluded in the morning.
The demonstration’s stated purpose was to occupy Confederation Building, “halting government operations to demand an end to Canada’s complicity in Israel’s genocide of Palestinians,” said organizers on social media.
The protest was organized by Jews Say No To Genocide, a coalition formed by groups such as Independent Jewish Voices, World Beyond War, IfNotNow, Showing Up for Racial Justice, United Jewish People’s Order, and the Jewish Faculty Network.