Small group gathers near University of Waterloo in solidarity with U.S students protesting Israel-Gaza war

CBC
·2 min read
One of the protesters at Wednesday's rally at the edge of the University of Waterloo campus. (James Chaarani/CBC - image credit)
One of the protesters at Wednesday's rally at the edge of the University of Waterloo campus. (James Chaarani/CBC - image credit)

A small group of students and residents gathered near the University of Waterloo on Wednesday in solidarity with American students occupying parts of university campuses across the U.S. in protest of the Israel-Hamas war.

Tamara Lorincz, the co-organizer of the local rally and a PhD candidate at Wilfrid Laurier University, said that the rally will be a weekly event, meeting at University Avenue where it crosses the Laurel Trail.

"This is why I'm doing this action today, is to just try to be very public and visible, that there are people in Waterloo, there are students like myself in Waterloo that are standing in solidarity with the American students and with the people of Gaza," said Lorincz.

Lorincz explained that she would support an encampment in Waterloo reigon similar to those in the U.S.

Tamara Lorincz is the co-organizer of the local rally in support of pro-Palestinian U.S. students.
Tamara Lorincz is the co-organizer of the local rally in support of pro-Palestinian U.S. students.

Tamara Lorincz is the co-organizer of the local rally in support of U.S. students protesting on university campuses. (James Chaarani/CBC)

The demonstration of about a dozen people in Waterloo was part of a larger movement being seen at universities across the country and the U.S., which began at Columbia University in New York, where students and activists are urging academic institutions to divest from companieswith business interests in Israel.

They're also a response to the rising death toll in Gaza, where more than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed in retaliatory attacks by Israel for the Oct. 7 attack in that country.

About 1,200 Israelis were killed in that Hamas-led attack last October, and about 253 were taken hostage.

Two other protesters at Wednesday's rally.
Two other protesters at Wednesday's rally.

Kitchener resident Terry Wood, left, said she believes that "somebody has to speak on behalf" of the students protesting at other university campuses. (James Chaarani/CBC)

'Focusing on students'

Kitchener resident Terry Wood attended Wednesday's rally carrying a sign that reads, "Solidarity with students." She said she believes that "somebody has to speak on behalf" of the students protesting at other university campuses.

"Just today we're focusing on students but the other days we're focusing on all of Gaza," said Wood. "And all of the people, all of the children."

Waterloo Regional Police Service told CBC News they were aware of the gathering. The University of Waterloo said the protest was not on campus and as such they did not have a comment about it.

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