A Yellowknife woman has joined the March to Gaza to break the humanitarian blockade and draw international attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The citizen-led March to Gaza is part of a broader grassroots initiative demanding an end to the siege and unrestricted humanitarian access for Palestinians. Thousands from over 30 countries will gather in Cairo, Egypt, beginning June 12th, before traveling to Al Arish in the Sinai Peninsula to start a 48-kilometre nonviolent trek to the Rafah border.
The movement includes volunteers, health workers, educators, and concerned citizens, according to Amy Lam, a community organizer from Yellowknife and member of Citizens for Ceasefire.
Its goal is to peacefully challenge the blockade by delivering global solidarity directly to Gaza.
“It is a non-violent action. It is peaceful action. We are there to provide a global voice to what is happening in Gaza, which virtually every human rights organization is calling a genocide,” Lam said. “…We feel we have an obligation to try to do whatever we can in whatever capacity we have to try to stop it.”
Lam described the journey as both physically and emotionally demanding, but a powerful act of solidarity.
The march is part of a coordinated effort that includes the Freedom Flotilla and the Sumud Convoy, aiming to highlight what legal experts and human rights groups describe as the use of starvation and siege as weapons of war.
“We are camping along the way. And it’s going to be challenging, I think. But also, I think there’s going to be strong feelings of solidarity,” Lam said. “A lot of us have felt like we haven’t been heard… but there are 2 million lives at stake right now that are actively being, purposefully being starved and bombed at the same time.”
The journey is expected to take three days, with participants camping along the route.
While organizers are working with Egyptian authorities to obtain permission, Lam acknowledged the risks.
“Protesting is not legal in Egypt,” Lam noted. “…with any sort of mass action or mass crowds, you don’t know what can happen… There’s a lot of preparations being done in the background.”
For Lam, the cause is also personal. As a Canadian living in a country shaped by colonization, she feels a responsibility to speak out.
“…What had happened to the Palestinians when Israel was formed was a colonization of their land and the expelling of Palestinians and ethnic cleansing,” Lam said. “…knowing about the history in Canada, I think it’s even more important for Canadians to speak out.”
Lam has been actively involved in organizing local demonstrations and advocacy efforts for Palestine in Yellowknife for nearly two years. She is part of a self-funded Canadian delegation.
Her decision to go was also rooted in moral obligation and frustration with political inaction.
“We have taken steps to talk to our officials in Canada – writing letters, protesting, marching, doing what we can in the normal means,” she said. “…Canada has legal obligations to prevent and stop a genocide. They are not doing that.”
People in Lam’s community often feel helpless watching the destruction unfold on their screens.
“We’ve been watching a live-streamed genocide on our phone. It’s the most documented genocide of our time,” she said.
“It doesn’t help the starvation, it doesn’t help the bombing… but I do want the people there suffering to know that the people are behind them, and we’re trying to do what we can.”
While Lam is the only participant from the N.W.T., she emphasized that people are joining from across the country.
“…This is not a niche issue. It is something that impacts all Canadians.”
She also hopes the march shows that action is still possible.
“In a situation like this, when you’re silent, that helps the oppressors. So I think if we have a global movement of more people using their voice… hopefully, that will put enough political pressure for this to stop.”
Back in Yellowknife, her group plans a solidarity event on June 15th, the day marchers are expected to reach the border.
“I think the more eyes we have on this group to keep everyone safe, the better,” she said.
Lam expects to remain overseas until the end of the month, depending on conditions.
To learn more about the March to Gaza or support participants, visit: https://marchtogaza.net/
