On May 14th, 2021, London saw a huge demonstration across the city. People of all different backgrounds got in their cars and gathered from the north to the south to show solidarity for the Palestinian people and the violence escalating around the Gaza strip.
Nur (left) and Adan (right) Watad organized the car rally. They said it was heartwarming to see everyone come out in support, but also overwhelming. Nur is 22 and Adan is 20. Photo via Adan Watad
The event was first organized by Nur, 22, and Adan, 20, Watad. The sisters were born in Jerusalem. Adan and her sister are descendants of the “1948s,” Palestinians who were not made refugees by Israel but remained in occupied territory. Their family immigrated to Canada nine years ago, but that only fueled the need for advocacy.
Adan says that occupation has always been her reality and advocating is something they need to do:
“We take every opportunity we can to advocate for Palestinians who aren’t able to do so without literally risking their lives.”
She and her sister had been apart of demonstrations before, but the car rally was the first one that they took leadership in. They felt like they needed to speak up and friends were reaching out wondering when the next demonstration would be. They weren’t the only ones.
What started as just a few people quickly escalated. Nur and Adan both wanted to limit the risk of COVID-19 so made sure to emphasize that this was a car rally, so they should remain in their vehicles. They encouraged people not to carpool or get to close to one another. They stated that anyone attending should follow traffic laws to the letter. People came out in droves.
They had multiple meeting points across the city: one at Masonville Mall and another at Whiteoaks which would meet at Cherryhill mall and downtown London. Travelling in a socially-distanced convoy, they paraded flags and signs across London’s streets.
“It was so worth it, seeing the amount of people who showed up.”
The role of the Youth in Palestine’s Struggle
Adan Watad says the majority of Palestinian and Muslim youth can never visit their homeland. As the Palestinian diaspora expands over the world, so to is support for Palestinian human rights.
Muhammad Awaweeh, a member of London’s Palestinian community, says that younger people have always been important to their cause. He reiterates that most young people have never seen or been to Palestine. He says that they are always relying upon young people showing their support. Regarding the large turnout in the car rally, he was not surprised by how many showed up.
“We’re seeing children dying . . . I didn’t expect it to be divisive and I’m glad its not.”
The youth are playing a huge role in advocating for Palestine. Adan credits social media with how widespread their cause has become. News spreads more quickly, people outside of their community see more of it, and videos—which have been very revealing—are more accessible. As a young advocate, Adan says its impossible to not be riled up.
“We want to see change in our lifetime . . . its time to be the change we want to see.”
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