Montreal marked the two-year anniversary of the October 7 attacks, which are considered the worst terror incident against Jews since the Holocaust. On this day, protests were organized by various groups, including Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights and Montreal4Palestine, to commemorate the event.

The first protest took place at Concordia University at 1 p.m., while the second was scheduled for 7 p.m. An Instagram post promoting the earlier protest featured an image of men dressed in traditional Palestinian attire, with one man’s face obscured and another raising a Palestinian flag. The imagery was provocative, with a child appearing to join the group.

The evening protest's promotional material included a red inverted triangle, which the American Jewish Committee has labeled an anti-Israel symbol. The poster bore the words “RESISTANCE UNTIL LIBERATION” in both English and Arabic, alongside images of men with their faces covered.

In anticipation of the protests, Concordia University canceled classes on its downtown campus due to potential disruptions. An automated call informed faculty, students, and staff of the decision. Concordia President Graham Carr explained that the closure was prompted by the arrest of two individuals on campus the previous day, who were found with a metal bar and incendiary devices.

Despite the cancellation, many individuals, including students and protesters, gathered on campus. Police presence increased, with officers arriving on foot, motorbikes, and horses. An older man was seen selling keffiyehs outside the GM Building.

As the protest began, participants filled the intersection of Maisonneuve and MacKay, many wearing masks or covering their faces with keffiyehs. They chanted slogans that indicated a rejection of the State of Israel.

Among the crowd, a man named Ray distributed legal advice cards to attendees, cautioning them on how to avoid arrest. He also handed out a paper that accused the United States and Israel of orchestrating the September 11 attacks, which some students read with interest.

The protests reflect ongoing tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and highlight the divisions within Canadian society regarding this issue. The events of October 7 continue to resonate deeply, influencing public discourse and activism in Montreal and beyond.