On Friday morning, the atmosphere outside Regina City Hall was charged with energy and purpose as more than 100 pro-Palestinian protesters gathered to express their solidarity for Palestine. This gathering came as the city announced the cancellation of a planned flag-raising ceremony meant to commemorate Palestine's Independence Day, which falls on November 15. The cancellation, announced just hours before the event, was made at the directive of outgoing Mayor Sandra Masters, and left many feeling both upset and confused.
The protestors, donning Palestinian flags and chanting slogans, aimed to demonstrate their support for Palestinian rights and highlight frustrations over the recent escalation of violence stemming from the conflict between Israel and Hamas. "If I went through a difficult time, I'd like someone to stand with me, to help me, to support me. That's why I'm here. To support people in Gaza," said Fatma Khairy, a mother of four who joined the rally.
Despite the absence of the official flag-raising, the demonstrators were determined to make their presence felt. The symbolic nature of the Palestinian flag was particularly significant to them. "We’re here to indicate our support for the Palestinian people’s struggle for liberation and for survival right now in this genocide," declared Valerie Zink, a member of Palestine Solidarity Regina, who helped organize the protest.
The cancellation of the flag-raising ceremony followed the city's earlier review of its flag policy, which was prompted by previous disputes over flag raisings, particularly when the Israeli flag was raised earlier this year. Many protestors expressed their disappointment, claiming the city's last-minute change was not only unfair but also silenced their voices. Zink noted, "They were expecting it to be approved since they were invited by city staff to submit their application. But it’s obviously gone in a different direction now due to Sandra Masters’ decision to shut it down."
The atmosphere outside City Hall was tense at times, especially when encounters arose between supporters of the Palestinian flag and counter-protesters. According to reports, police were on hand to help de-escalate these brief clashes, indicating the charged nature of the gathering and the broader discussions surrounding the conflict. Still, the demonstrators remained committed to their cause, waving their flags high and chanting loudly against what they termed the injustice faced by Palestinians.
Rallies across cities, including Regina, have sparked discussions on the representation of the various flags, with current events catalyzing significant public reaction and engagement. The flag-raising ceremony was meant not only to celebrate Palestinian independence but also to spark conversation around the situation on the ground, something the city council had initially recognized before reversing course.
Supporters at the rally were galvanized by their shared beliefs, standing shoulder to shoulder with fellow advocates, sharing stories about why they felt compelled to support for Palestinian independence. "The Palestinian flag predates the current atrocities happening right now," explained Zink. "It symbolizes the struggle of Palestinians to be free from colonial rule and occupation, which is the conversation we want everyone to have."
Onlookers observed teams of demonstrators chanting different slogans such as, "End Israeli Apartheid" and "Stop arms sales to Israel," which echoed across the city’s historic precincts. The protest saw participation from diverse groups, all motivated by social justice, human rights, and equality sentiments. The coalition of community members called for awareness and education concerning the struggles faced by Palestinians, calling for solidarity with those suffering from violence.
Meanwhile, Gustavo Zentner from the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs responded to the events, praising the city for canceling the flag-raising and voicing concerns over the geopolitical issues at the forefront. Addressing the issues at play, he said, "The situation's political equivalence brought forth by such flag raisings cannot be seen as fair and balanced as they represent very different narratives." There seems to be complex layers to how various groups engage with the subject matter, shaping response and reaction across Canada.
With transparent discussions already mired in emotion, local officials and city staff are now left to navigate the emotional aftermath of the protests, many of which center around human rights concerns for not only those within Palestine but also those outside its borders. "The only guarantee here is I can't make everyone happy right now on this. It's tough," said City Clerk Jim Nicol before the event.
The gathering represented more than just support for one cause—it reflected the intersections of community engagement, political discourse, and social justice activism faced by local governments seeking to take action amid volatile global conversations.
Even with the cancellation, the turnout at City Hall illustrated not just opposition to the decision but also growing solidarity movements calling attention to human rights violations. And regardless of whether flags flew officially or not, the message was clear: supporters of Palestine planned to raise their voices—no matter the obstacles placed before them.
With advocacy growing, many attendees looked optimistically to the future—hoping to engage constructively with the new city council, which is set to assume responsibilities after the upcoming elections. "We hope to see support for human rights and basic principles of justice and equality globally."," Zink added, emphasizing the need for continued advocacy and education to combat rising tensions.
The echoes of voices from Friday still lingered throughout the weekend as community members reflected on their participation and the momentum it may generate for broader discussions on inter-community relations, advocacy efforts, and probably future events focused on social justice, shedding light on the power of organized activism even amid setbacks.
