Montreal vigil honouring journalists killed covering Israel-Hamas war

Palestinian supporters came together for a vigil on Thursday to honour the lives of the at least 79 journalists killed during the Israel-Hamas war as of Jan. 11, according to the committee to protect journalists.

The Palestinian Youth Movement in Montreal called on the community to stand in solidarity with the journalists.

“They are a bridge between what’s happening in Gaza and the rest of the world,” explained Sarah Shamy who is an organizer with the youth movement.

The names of journalists killed in Gaza were displayed at the vigil in Old Montreal.

They held candles to commemorate the journalists who sacrificed their lives throughout the war.

“While we are protesting and marching, demanding more from the leaders, tonight, we are here in sadness together to honour the journalists that they have killed, and we want to take away from that,” said Haya Alsakka who is a volunteer in the Palestinian Youth Movement. “The motivation to continue working in their honour and to continue fighting for the messages that they have been trying to spread.”

The vigil served as a space to express solidarity with the journalists still reporting in Gaza.

According to participants, the event highlighted the essential role of media in wartime, and called for the protection of journalists who are still working there.

“I’m here because this is the least I can do,” said participant Anita Anand. “I’m here to support all the Palestinian journalists who are risking their lives and have lost their lives to tell the truth. I’m here because like them, I feel we all need to scream the truth about what happening now in Gaza.”