Windsor·Video

Large crowd attends 'Hands Off Jerusalem' rally in Windsor

A crowd gathered at city hall in Windsor to rally against Donald Trump's decision to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem.

'Everyone is coming here today in protest against that misguided decision'

Hands Off Jerusalem rally in Windsor

7 years ago
Duration 0:57
People attend a pro-Palestinian rally in Windsor on Saturday.

A large crowd gathered for a "Hands Off Jerusalem" rally that featured a range of pro-Palestinian speakers on Saturday afternoon. 

Rallies are being held around the world today in protest of Donald Trump's declaration of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

One person at the Windsor rally walked around wearing a Donald Trump mask holding a sign that read "Shame on me. I am just an agent of Russia + Israel."

A man chants through a megaphone to a crowd gathered in Windsor for a 'Hands Off Jerusalem' rally. (Chris Ensing/CBC)

Organizers laid out white poster boards with markers, inviting people at the rally to create their own signs.

'It hurts'

The crowd gathered in a tight circle as speakers addressed the group through a megaphone. 

"When that misguided decision was made that means it hurts and pains and upsets every single Muslim that lives on this earth," said Imam Yousef Aly Wahb, who added that he doesn't have a Palestinian background.

Dozens of posters at the rally protested Trump's decision to move the United States Embassy to Jerusalem. (Chris Ensing/CBC)

He said he was wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh, a checkered black and white scarf, as a sign of symbolic support.

"Everyone is coming here today in protest against that misguided decision," he told the crowd. 

Standing in solidarity

Moussa Hamadani, a fourth year University of Windsor student majoring in History and Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies also addressed the crowd. 

First, he acknowledged the rally was being held on Anishinaabe land. 

A person wears a Donald Trump mask during the rally. (Chris Ensing/CBC)

"There are very few places that people before us did not call home," said Hamadani.

"And Windsor is no exception. And Canada is no exception," he said. 

"I stand in solidarity with my Indigenous brothers and sisters of this land."

Hamadani then recited a poem to the people through the megaphone.