Around 450 people gathered to demonstrate for a free Palestine in Calgary. .“We do believe Palestine must be free,” said protest organizer Mahmoud Mourra at the Saturday event. .“Free free Palestine.” . Pro-Palestine protestProtest organizer Mahmoud Mourra said the protestors know Palestine must be free. .The protest involved people rallying in front of the Calgary Municipal Building, but they marched down Stephen Avenue. Protestors waved Palestinian and Lebanese flags and held signs with messages such as “We are witnessing genocide” and “Gaza under attack.” .They did chants such as “[Benjamin] Netanyahu, [Adolf] Hitler, you’re the same; the only difference is the name” and “Gaza, Gaza, hear us say: We are with you night and day.” While people from all religions attended the protest, many of them were Muslims. .One protestor said Western Standard Alberta reporter Jonathan Bradley was supporting Netanyahu’s terrorism. During this interaction, another protestor came up behind Bradley and rammed into him. .Five counterprotestors stood across the street near Olympic Plaza to show support to Israel. The counterprotestors carried Israeli flags, and one of them had a sign saying “Hamas can kiss my ass.” .They accused the protestors of defending terrorists. A group of Calgary Police Service officers formed a line to block the two sides from fighting. . Pro-Palestine protestProtestors shouted chants such as “[Benjamin] Netanyahu, [Adolf] Hitler, you’re the same; the only difference is the name” and “Gaza, Gaza, hear us say: We are with you night and day.” .Mourra said he organized the protest because he wants the bloodshed in the Middle East to stop. He added innocent people “should not be dying for any reason, especially youngsters or kids.” .During Israel’s history, he said it has demanded Palestinians leave their territory many times. When it comes to letting them go back, it has been never. .The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) called for the evacuation of all people in Gaza City from their homes southward and asked them to move to the area south of Wadi Gaza on Friday. .READ MORE: GET OUT: Israeli military demands people leave Gaza, Hamas tells them to 'stay put'.“The Hamas terrorist organization waged a war against the State of Israel, and Gaza City is an area where military operations take place,” said the IDF. .“This evacuation is for your own safety.”. Pro-Palestine protestThe protest saw people gather in front of the Calgary Municipal Building, but they moved to Stephen Avenue. .Protestor Youssef Nasser called what is happening in Palestine “unbearable.” .“Over 700 kids have been killed,” said Nasser. .“And we have to stop this.” .Nasser accused Israel of terrorism. It has killed children, bombed cities, and attacked people while they were fleeing Gaza. . Larry HeatherCounterprotestor Larry Heather said the protestors were defending Hamas and wanting Jews to die. .Counterprotestor Larry Heather said the protestors were supporting Hamas and calling for the extermination of Jews. .“I think it’s absolutely despicable Mayor Jyoti Gondek has stood down, has instructed the police to stand down and treat this as an equilibrium expressing their rights,” said Heather. .“But we are defending Israel from extermination, and we defend the right of Israel to protect itself.” .What motivates Heather to support Israel is it is God’s nation. The Bible states Jesus cannot come back if Israel is extinguished. .Around 300 people gathered at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto to call for Palestine to be liberated from Israel on Monday. .READ MORE: WATCH: About 300 people protest for a free Palestine in Toronto.“From the river to the sea,” said a protest organizer. .Protestors repeated the chant “from the river to the sea.” They waved Palestinian flags and carried signs with messages such “End Israeli occupation” and “Stand with the Palestinian resistance.”
