Protesters block railroad tracks in east Regina in support of Palestine

Six people were arrested Wednesday morning after protesters blocked some railroad tracks in Regina.

Holding a banner that read “Treaty 4 Stands With Palestine, Arms Embargo Now,” at one point, eight people stood on the tracks at Park Street and Seventh Avenue.

The Palestine rally occurred Wednesday morning in north Regina. (Gillian Massie/980 CJME)

Some were wearing signs that read “Stop Genocide” and “Stop the Genocide, Free Palestine,” while others were chanting “Arms embargo now” and “Canada, your hands are red.”

The protesters were demanding an immediate embargo on the shipment of arms to Israel, which has been embroiled in a war with the terror group Hamas in Gaza since October.

Canada reportedly approved $28.5 million in arms export permits to Israel after Hamas attacked that country on Oct. 7, but reports say the Canadian government hasn’t approved any permits since early January.

One of the protesters, Oliver Davis, said the group comprised “a bunch of concerned community members.”

“I believe that (a protest) is necessary when we’re having thousands of people killed in Gaza using money from Canada and weapons from Canada,” Davis said.

Police officers subsequently arrested several of the people, with one officer telling 980 CJME the protesters were being detained for trespassing.

“To me, (people being arrested) means that the state prioritizes profit over people and over lives in Gaza,” Davis said.

Around 6 people were arrested here on on Park Street and 7th Avenue in a “Free Palestine” protest. @CJMENews @CKOMNews pic.twitter.com/JTtYt2Y9Za

— Gillian Massie (@massie_gillian) April 17, 2024

Presented with the choice of leaving or being arrested, Davis was among the people who left on their own.

Before departing, Davis was asked why people aren’t listening to calls for an arms embargo or an end to the conflict.

“I think the people are listening, but our governments aren’t,” Davis said. “There has been a record of $28.5 million in arms sent to Israel from Canada since the genocide started Oct. 7. Well, the genocide has been going on for a long time, but it escalated on Oct. 7.”

A protester is handcuffed by Regina police officers. (Abby Zieverink/980 CJME)