On Aug. 30, Solidarity Cowichan joined local community groups, neighbours and Palestine activists from across the island in Duncan for a peaceful art protest of what they described as settler colonial projects.
The gathering at the corner of Coronation and Duncan Street had one clear message: 'Land Back, from the Salish Sea to Palestine'.
"A large group of protesters from all walks of life, ages, and all regions of the island were there to take to the street and create a beautiful art piece that speaks to our refusal to be complicit in genocide, with a demand that the settler colonial systems of oppression, land and cultural theft be dismantled," said a spokesperson for the group.
The message, the group said, was that the settler colonial state of Canada must not only face its own history of genocide and land theft, but must also stop arming and supporting the settler colonial state of Israel.
Speakers included a Quw’utsun elder and young Palestinians.
"The words Land Back are a simple, yet profound word pairing that we must grapple with," said a spokesperson for the group. "We are taught as little kids that if you have stolen something, the correct response is to feel remorse, give it back, and try to repair the relationship. Many of us, especially white settlers, are taught to feel entitled to resources and convenience, and are raised to think individualistically rather than communally. We put this question at the forefront of our minds as we painted, listened to a Quw’utsun elder and young Palestinians speak.
"Our community came together in solidarity and peaceful protest and the mural looked amazing," said a spokesperson for the group. "We are disappointed that the City of Duncan would choose to wash it away, rather than acknowledge the mural’s message by leaving it in place for citizens to see and reflect on how we are all complicit in upholding the current systems of oppression of Indigenous people and their lands."
