Voices for Peace: Filipino – Canadian Vigil Urges Action for Gaza Crisis
Voices for Peace: Filipino – Canadian Vigil Urges Action for Gaza Crisis
By Leny Rose Simbre
In a powerful demonstration of unity and advocacy, the Concerned Filipino-Canadian community rallied together on the evening of December 16, 2023, for a peaceful vigil titled “Songs 4 Peace,” held in front of MP Rechie Valdez’s office at 8 Maiden Ln, in Mississauga. The gathering aimed to amplify calls for immediate action and humanitarian relief in Gaza.
Prompted by the ongoing crisis in Palestine, several dozens of young Filipino-Canadians gathered standing united in their plea for change. At the forefront of their collective demands were urgent appeals directed towards Filipino Liberal MP Rechie Valdez and the wider Liberal caucus.
The assembly was marked by a series of impassioned speeches and solemn moments as the community voiced their concerns and outlined specific calls to action. The five key demands presented by the Filipino-Canadian community reflected the urgency of the situation in Gaza:
- Immediate and Permanent Ceasefire: The community urged continued pressure on all parties involved to secure an immediate and enduring ceasefire in Palestine.
- End Blockade and Restore Aid: Calls were made to end the blockade on Gaza and restore access to essential humanitarian aid and basic necessities for its residents.
- Termination of Gaza Siege: A resolute call was made to end Israel’s total siege of Gaza, highlighting the pressing need to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people.
- Facilitate Reunification: Immediate steps were demanded to facilitate the reunification of Palestinian Canadians with their families in Gaza, recognizing the importance of family unity during these turbulent times.
- End Canada’s Complicity and Arms Embargo: The community fervently advocated for an end to Canada’s involvement in the conflict, emphasizing the need for an arms embargo on Israel to prevent Canadian infrastructure from supporting Israeli war crimes.
The vigil symbolized a collective stance against the ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Participants held candles, flowers, and musical instruments resonating with their plea for peace through music, chants, and solemn moments of reflection. The Filipino-Canadian community’s call for action echoes a global sentiment, urging political leaders to take a proactive stand in ensuring a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Palestine. The event serves as a testament to the community’s commitment to stand in solidarity with the oppressed and marginalized.
As the gathering concluded, attendees expressed hope that their unified voice would resonate with decision-makers and prompt tangible measures toward a lasting peace in Gaza, emphasizing the importance of compassion, justice, and global solidarity in times of crisis.
Concerned Filipino-Canadian voters gathered in front of the Honourable Rechie Valdez’ office for “Songs 4 Gaza,” a vigil for peace in Palestine.
Signed copies of the open letter and a “parol” made of the colours of the Palestinian flag left in MP Rechie Valdez’ office after “Songs 4 Gaza.”
MP Valdez the second Filipino to be elected as a Member of Parliament in Canada.
Dear MP Rechie Valdez,
We are Filipino-Canadians voicing our concerns regarding the genocidal violence happening in Gaza.
For over two months, we are mourning this humanitarian catastrophe as tens of thousands of Palestinians are being killed. As a result of the enduring pressure from Canadians, Canada voted in favour of an immediate ceasefire at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, December 12th. We also acknowledge that Canada has committed to providing aid to the people of Gaza. We are relieved to see Canada finally take a humanitarian stance amidst the genocide against the Palestinian people.
While humanitarian aid and calling for a ceasefire are good steps, they are only a small move towards peace in Palestine. Much more needs to be done. The UN vote after 66 days of televised genocide is shamefully delayed in showing a firm stance in ending this massacre. That same day, Canada’s open letter calling for “efforts towards a sustainable ceasefire” failed to hold Israel accountable for its war crimes and illegal occupation and siege of Gaza. Beyond advocating for Israel to uphold international laws, Canada needs to end its complicity and stop the military exports that bolster Israel’s genocide.
We, Filipino-Canadians, see ourselves in the people of Palestine. Some Filipinos may avoid this issue because it occurs outside of our borders. We denounce that mindset as a Filipino community who have survived many forms of colonialism, displacement (within our home country and globally), and violence against our people. Yet, we also take the blame for every soul murdered in Gaza, the West Bank, and other areas of Palestine as we see our country’s leaders uphold genocide.
Our community of Filipino-Canadians are immigrant settlers on this land, which the Crown illegally stole from Indigenous Peoples. In our commitments to Truth and Reconciliation, we have a duty to oppose colonialism and land theft, from Turtle Island to Palestine. As Canada is seen as a leader in the Western world, we have a global and moral responsibility to stop genocide. You have this responsibility more than others because you hold a seat of power, given to you by your constituents and dedicated Filipinos who have funded your campaign.
We, Filipino-Canadians, are gathering for a collective plea to you and the rest of the Liberal caucus to:
- Continue to demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Palestine;
- Continue to demand an end to the blockade of Gaza and for the restoration of humanitarian aid and access to the basic necessities of life;
- Call for an end to Israel’s total siege of Gaza, which is prohibited under International Law;
- End Canada’s complicity in the carnage in Gaza and institute an arms embargo on Israel, and ensure no companies are using Canadian infrastructure in support of Israeli war crimes; and to
- Immediately create direct pathways for emergency travel of Palestinians to Canada and establish a policy for permanent residence for immediate and extended Palestinian family members in Canada.
We are hopeful that you and the rest of our Canadian leaders will rightfully represent its people and voice our demands for a just and free world.
Sincerely,
Concerned Filipino-Canadian voters
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