More than 25 Sarnia residents gathered near the fountain at Centennial Park on Wednesday afternoon for a vigil marking two years since the beginning of the war in Gaza, focusing on the suffering of children. The lunchtime gathering featured a display of children's clothing and photos of young victims to illustrate the human cost of […]
More than 25 Sarnia residents gathered near the fountain at Centennial Park on Wednesday afternoon for a vigil marking two years since the beginning of the war in Gaza, focusing on the suffering of children.
The lunchtime gathering featured a display of children's clothing and photos of young victims to illustrate the human cost of the ongoing conflict. According to organizers, the event was intended to bring local attention to what they describe as a two-year-long genocide.
"Our vigil was meant to call attention to the fact that the people of Gaza have been suffering for two full years as a result of the Israeli genocide," Micheline Steele said. "We focused on the impact on the children. It's more difficult for many to look away from the suffering of children."
The local advocacy group, Sarnians4Palestine (Facebook, Instagram), was founded by Layal Mansour, a Palestinian woman and the granddaughter of Nakba survivors, immediately following the October 7, 2023 attacks. "Our purpose is to advocate for peace and justice for Palestinians and to fight ethnic cleansing, occupation, and colonization of the Palestinian people," the spokesperson added.
Over the past two years, the group has seen its numbers grow, particularly with an increase in younger members. They have become more active in the community, holding events at Sarnia’s First Friday, the Mitton Market, and initiaiting a book club.
"Being present in situations where the community comes across us has enabled us to have conversations with the people of Sarnia," Steele explained. They noted that while there is some pushback, they have experienced a significant increase in public support. "We had a few people stop by to chat with us today as they walked by. Everyone who stopped by was supportive."
The group continues its series of monthly free film events this month with a screening of Gaza Doctors Under Attack. The film will be shown at the Sarnia Library Theatre on Saturday, October 18, at 2 p.m.
