On Thursday, over 100 people gathered in Confederation Square across from Peterborough City Hall to show support for Palestinians in Gaza. Many people arrived bearing signs, flags, and clothing in the colours of the Palestinian Flag.

The event was organized by the Canadian group called "the International Socialists" and was advertised as a "Solidarity Rally."

Organizers of the rally said that they planned this last minute, and did not have any scheduled speakers. Instead, they invited any person from Gaza, or with a personal connection to Gaza, to speak.

The final speaker, Sahar Afroz, shared a passage from The Wretched of the Earth, by Frantz Fanon:

“For a colonized people the most essential value, because the most concrete, is first and foremost the land: the land which will bring them bread and, above all, dignity.”

After nearly an hour, the group began to march around downtown Peterborough, chanting in support of Palestinians in Gaza. Starting at McDonnell St and George St, they moved East to Water St, South to Charlotte St, West to George St, then walked North back to Confederation Square, moving from the sidewalk to the road on the last block.

The group stayed on the road, blocking traffic at the intersection of George Street and McDonnell Street for about 20 minutes, until an officer from Peterborough Police Services told the protesters that they are welcome to protest, but they cannot block traffic.

At around 7 p.m., the peaceful protest began to disperse.

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