Montrealers continue to seek justice for Lebanon following Beirut explosion

MONTREAL (CityNews) – Members of Montreal’s Lebanese community took part in a worldwide protest Sunday afternoon.

On the steps of Montreal’s Lebanese consulate, protesters denounced government repression in Beirut after a deadly explosion killed 177 people, including two Montrealers.

“The voices of the Lebanese people have been louder than ever because they really want to get rid of the political class,” said Ghadi Elkoreh of the United Diaspora of Montreal. “Not only is it robbing them from everything, but now it’s literally killing them.”

Protesters from nine cities around the world – including Paris, Berlin, London, Washington and Boston – want the resignation of the entire Lebanese regime.

They say government officials are trying to silence demonstrators. Many protesters feel they have been arrested without reason or injured by security forces.

“In my 25 years of existence, I’ve seen over 11 bombings and assassinations and war and for what?” said Stephani Moukhaiber of United Diaspora of Montreal. “For this, for an explosion that almost wiped out an entire country?

“We also need the Canadian government to take a position. Now is the time to take a position to amplify the voices of the oppressed people of Lebanon. Now is not the time to be silent and neutral. Neutrality and silence is only worsening the suffering of the Lebanese people.”

In Montreal’s Lebanese community – one of the largest in Canada – almost everyone knows someone overseas who’s been affected. They remain angry after the blast left 6,500 people injured, 350,000 homeless and dozens still missing.

“Right now, the community is angry,” said Moukhaiber. “They’re mad. They want justice. And I don’t think we’re going to stop until we get it.”

Nazar Najarian, a Montreal businessman, was killed following the explosion in Beirut. On Friday, three-year-old Alexandra Naggear – a former Montrealer – was also pronounced dead. She was one of the tragedy’s youngest victims.

Protesters are calling for international awareness and hoping for change in Lebanon.

“Canadian or not, it’s a human rights issue,” said one protester. “These things happening anywhere in the world should affect us here as well, and we should do what we can to support them.”

“I see my friends and family in Lebanon fighting, getting oppressed,” said another protester. “So many have lost so many things. All of them are traumatized.”