Libyan-Canadians and supporters rallied in downtown Toronto on Saturday, keeping the focus on the dire situation in Libya. The civil uprising against dictator Moammar Gadhafi has captivated the world and Torontonians were out in force at the event, which began at Yonge-Dundas Square and finished on University Ave. across from the U.S. Consulate, to show their support.
Along with showing moral support, the crowd called for urgency in delivering medical supplies to the region.
Organizer Khaoula Bengezi also called on the United States to take on a much more significant role to end the violence.
“We don’t want military intervention or sanctions because those are going to hurt the people,” Bengezi said. “It’s heartbreaking, it’s really heartbreaking. We really hoped (the uprising) would be along the same lines as Tunisia and Egypt (where) it was relatively peaceful. In Libya…thousands have died in the cause of freedom.”
Liberal MPP Mike Colle was among the supporters calling for more action on the front of medical supplies. “The real thing that hasn’t been talked about is the need for medical supplies. There’s an urgency. That’s what we’ve got to put on the map,” Colle said.
Critical care supplies, like bandages, sutures and antibiotics, are the most necessary supplies. Baby food and aid is also of pressing need.
Some people were mobilizing using social networking and contacts they’d made among supporters. The Internet is being used to purchase medical supplies and get the goods to the right places in a hurry.
Rizwan Mohammad, an Indian-Canadian, was among the supporters. “I just feel that’s what’s been happening in Egypt and Tunisia and Yemen and Bahrain and now Libya is really important for everybody concerned with human rights and freedom. There are a lot of people who are resisting fear…and cynicism and apathy and they’re sacrificing a lot,” he said.
Photo c/o Andrew Wallace.
