Oct. 15, 2024

Vigil for Gaza and Lebanon

Words by Tiana Khandelwal, Photos by Tiana Khandelwal

Students gathered to hold a vigil for Gaza and Lebanon. Tiana Khandelwhal / The Ubyssey

On Tuesday, October 8, UBC students gathered for a vigil in solidarity with all people affected by what organizers call a genocide in Gaza and Lebanon.

According to a United Nations-appointed independent expert, there are “reasonable grounds” to believe Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.

The vigil took place at UBC’s Musqueam Post. Signs about the genocide were placed on keffiyehs, a symbol of the Palestinian liberation movement. Small tealights were scattered around, while Palestinian and Lebanese flags fluttered in the wind. Poster boards displayed images of people being honoured and remembered.

A poster board with an imagery of a person's face covered in keffiyeh with their eyes showing along with little red hand print resembling children and words on it which says, "Existence is Resistance".
A group of students displaying posters and signs as part of the vigil for Palestine and Lebanon. Tiana Khandelwhal / The Ubyssey

Supporters silently prayed and shed tears for Palestinian people.

A student sitting on the ground bowing their head down, praying at the vigil for Gaza and Lebanon. In front of her is a sign named 'Vigil' and small tealights around it.
Supporters sit to pray in solidarity, bowing their heads down in silence. Tiana Khandelwhal / The Ubyssey
A photo of vigil decoration which involves Palestinian flag. On the flag is posters of people who have lost their lives and small tealights.
Vigil decoration with a Palestinian flag surrounded by posters of people who have lost their lives and small tealights. Tiana Khandelwhal / The Ubyssey

After some time, people quietly gathered in groups, engaging in conversations about actions that could be taken to assist refugees attempting to escape from war-torn regions.

Groups of people wearing keffiyehs and masks gather in front of the UBC Bookstore for the Palestine and Lebanon vigil.
Groups of people wearing keffiyehs and masks gather in front of the UBC bookstore for the Palestine and Lebanon vigil. Tiana Khandelwhal / The Ubyssey

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Tiana Khandelwal author, photographer

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