A march for peace was held at the South Cariboo Visitors Centre for Palestinian children in Gaza on Saturday, June 22.
The march attracted around 22 people, many of them carrying watermelon balloons - the watermelon being adopted as a symbol of Palestinian solidarity by many pro-Palestinian activists. They started marching from the South Cariboo Visitors Centre, going around the 100 Mile Marsh and stopping at the visitors centre.
The money raised from the march will be donated to the Palestinian Children's Relief Fund whose goal, according to their website, is to "provide medical and humanitarian relief collectively and individually to children throughout the Levant, regardless of their nationality or religion." The goal was to raise $500 for the organization - something which Karl Lundsbye, the march's organizer, said was 60 per cent met by the time the march started.
By the end of the fundraiser Lundsbye exceeded his goal by 100 per cent, raising $1,045 in total.
Lundsbye organized the march after watching footage of the current Gaza War between the Israel Defence Force and Hamas which started after the October 7 attacks. Lundsbye said that Israel is actively committing genocide against Palestine, stating that it is unlike any other genocide as it has been recorded "through and through."
"It is horrible. And I have seen almost no action in town so far over it. So I want to be changing how this works," said Lundsbye about the reaction of 100 Mile House to the alleged genocide.
Lisa Louraid is a Muslim who attended the march because she had a real passion for supporting Palestine, as well as Palestinian children. Louraid said that hearing the money that had been raised was going towards Palestinian children almost made her cry.
"It's really special - you know, we're a small town here, but we can still make a difference," Louraid said. "Every little bit helps."
Kimberly Vance-Lundsbye, the mother of Karl Lundsbye, stated that it was great that people had come out for the event.
"There's a lot of caring people in this community and a lot of people who are really passionate about doing what they can to make the world a better place."
Lundsbye hopes his example inspires more marches in the future, pointing out that there are several conflicts ongoing around the world.
"There are currently genocides everywhere, including the one in the Congo, in Sudan, and the Ukrainian War, it is everywhere," Lundsbye said. "And I want to be able to help in any way I can."
