Toronto, ON — Palestinian rights activists and allies on Sunday Jan. 19 staged a rolling protest at Chrystia Freeland’s campaign launch event for Liberal Party leadership, repeatedly disrupting her speech to demand an end to Canada’s complicity in the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people. 

The protest comes after 15 months of repeated attempts by Freeland’s constituents to reach her—through letters, direct visits to her offices, and various other means—to address her unwavering support for Israel’s military operations and Canada’s role in perpetuating the violence. Having been left with no other choice, protesters are disrupting Freeland’s campaign launch event, demanding that she finally hear them and take meaningful action against Israel’s ongoing crimes against humanity.

The protest underscores Israel’s ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people, which has been perpetuated since 1948 and drastically escalated in October 2023. Canada’s consistent military support for Israel and diplomatic cover enable this genocide, and as long as Canada continues to back Israel’s actions, the violence will persist. Protesters are demanding that Canada adhere to its international obligations, including respecting rulings from the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which have addressed Israel’s illegal occupation, apartheid policies, and violations of human rights.

We are here today to disrupt Chrystia Freeland’s campaign launch because, for 15 months, we have tried every means possible to reach her and hold her accountable for Canada’s complicity in Israel’s violence. Canada continues to arm Israel, offer diplomatic cover, and refuses to comply with international law, including multiple rulings from the ICC and ICJ that have condemned Israel’s actions. As long as this continues, the genocide will endure. Freeland’s refusal to listen to her own constituents leaves us with no other option than to disrupt her campaign launch event and demand an end to this complicity.

This protest is not about temporary pauses in violence. It’s about the long-term, systemic oppression Israel has inflicted on Palestinians since 1948. The violence may subside temporarily, but without a fundamental shift in Canadian foreign policy and adherence to international law, Israel’s occupation and apartheid will continue. We are here to say no to Canada’s complicity and demand real justice for Palestine.

The disruption also draws attention to Canada’s growing global isolation due to its ongoing support for Israeli apartheid and its disregard for international legal rulings. Freeland’s leadership is under increasing scrutiny as she continues to back Israel despite its clear violations of international law, including the consistent rulings by the ICC and ICJ against Israel’s actions.

We will not stop until Canada ends its military aid to Israel, breaks diplomatic ties with Israel, and stands for justice and human rights. We will continue to demand that Canada shifts its foreign policy to prioritize justice, self-determination, and human rights for the Palestinian people in compliance with international law.

As part of the disruption, protesters are calling for the following actions from the Canadian government:

• An immediate, full two-way arms embargo on Israel.
• A formal diplomatic break with the Israeli government until Israel’s human rights violations are fully addressed.
• A sustained exertion of pressure on Israel to end the genocide and its ongoing occupation of the Palestinian people; and to immediately enable food and medical aid deliveries.

The protest is peaceful but unwavering, ensuring that the Palestinian struggle for freedom remains at the forefront of the political conversation. Organizers are emphasizing that this disruption is only the beginning of a sustained campaign to hold Canadian politicians accountable for their complicity in the ongoing genocide and the violation of international legal obligations.