Leaders condemn 'hateful rhetoric' at B.C. pro-Palestinian protest on Oct. 7

Political leaders across British Columbia and Canada are condemning what they describe as hate-filled and extremist rhetoric at a pro-Palestinian rally in downtown Vancouver, where a masked speaker led chants supporting groups designated as terrorist organizations.

Videos posted online show a woman addressing hundreds gathered at the Vancouver Art Gallery on Monday night, chanting “we are Hezbollah and we are Hamas” and calling for “death to Canada, death to the United States, and death to Israel.” Some attendees were also seen burning Canadian flags.

The event, organized by the group Samidoun, coincided with the one-year anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel that killed about 1,200 people and sparked a war in Gaza that has since left tens of thousands dead. Public Safety Canada lists both Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorist entities.

B.C. Premier and NDP Leader David Eby condemned the rhetoric on social media, calling it “wrong and unacceptable,” and said British Columbians “stand together against violence — and the glorification of it.” B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad described the actions as “completely unacceptable,” vowing that his party would “crack down on this type of hate” if elected in the upcoming provincial election on October 19.

Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre also weighed in, pledging to designate Samidoun as a terrorist organization if his party forms government. “We’ve seen what happens when these groups aren’t taken seriously,” his statement said.

Police have not confirmed whether an investigation has been launched into the incident.