August 23, Montreal

Despite the gloomy weather, more than 400 protestors came equipped with masks mindful of COVID, from communities across Canada come together in Montreal to show they will not stay silent on the Uyghur genocide being perpetrated by the Chinese government.

The protest featured a march cutting through the heart of downtown, including a stop in front of the Chinese embassy, and a rally featuring speeches by politicians, community leaders, and activists.

Leading the march carrying the flags of Canada, Quebec, and East Turkistan were members of Parliament: Sameer Zuberi (Liberal Party), Garnett Genuis (Conservative Party), and retired Hon. David Kilgour (Independent).

The protest follows on the footsteps of the Canadian Parliament’s hearings in late July on the Uyghur human rights situation. Several witnesses, experts, and human rights activists testified on the Uyghur genocide and called on the Canadian government to take swift action.

ISU organized the protest to reinforce the need for Canada to take concrete action in response to the Chinese government’s aggressive escalation of human rights atrocities, which now meets the threshold to be considered a cultural and physical genocide under international law.

Prior to the protest, ISU sent an open letter to the Prime Minister and all MPs with 12 recommendations that could be implemented right away by Canada. During the protest, ISU collected hundreds of signatures for MP Garnett Genuis’s petition which calls on the Canadian government to officially recognize the Uyghur genocide and apply Magnitsky actions.

During the rally at Dorchester square, several speakers spoke on the importance of ordinary Canadians to act by being proactive such as by reaching out to MPs to urge them to prioritize the Uyghur genocide.

Several organizations came out in support such as the Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies, Message of Islam Foundation, and the Canadian Muslim Forum. In solidarity, the Tibet, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Turkish, and Iranian community came out in force to support Uyghurs and stand up against the Chinese authorities.

You can support ISU and Uyghurs by volunteering your time or by donating:

https://www.isupportuyghurs.org/en/get-involved

#UyghurGenocide

#CanadaforUyghurs

#MontrealforUyghurs

#WorldforUyghurs