In a historic moment for the city, the Palestinian flag was raised at Calgary's City Hall for the very first time on Saturday morning. The event, which drew a crowd of several hundred people to the Civic Plaza, marked a significant and emotional occasion for the local Palestinian community.
A Symbolic Gesture and Community Response
The flag-raising was organized to commemorate the anniversary of the Palestinian Declaration of Independence. For attendees like Sally Okasha, a member of the Palestinian community, the event was deeply meaningful. "Today, for the first time, the Palestinian flag rises here — not in protest, but in pride, in recognition and in hope," she stated during the gathering.
Haneen Omar, an organizer with the Palestinian Community Association, expressed satisfaction with the "very good turnout" and described the atmosphere as 99.9 percent positive. The event proceeded peacefully, with Calgary police in attendance and no protest groups materializing.
Political Backdrop and Future Implications
Despite the historic nature of the event, it may be one of the last of its kind. Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas has announced on social media his intention to submit a notice of motion this week to amend the city's flag policy. The mayor argues that raising flags of other nations can "unintentionally heighten tensions here at home."
This political move comes after the event received criticism from other community groups. The Calgary Jewish Federation had previously stated it was "disappointed and alarmed" by the flag-raising. In a statement, CEO Rob Nagus and board president Lisa Libin expressed concern that the event was approved at a time when "Jewish Calgarians are already experiencing unprecedented levels of fear and antisemitism."
A National Conversation
The event in Calgary reflects a broader national dialogue. The action follows Prime Minister Mark Carney's official recognition of the Palestinian State earlier this year. Similar flag-raising events have been planned in other Canadian cities, including Toronto, where B’nai Brith Canada raised objections, arguing that commemorating the 1988 declaration sanitizes the history of the PLO.
For the hundreds who gathered in Calgary, however, the sight of their flag flying at the municipal building was a powerful affirmation. As Okasha reflected, "To see that flag up there, at the city that we call home and we love so much, means a lot. It means that we are recognized as a people, as a community." The motion to change the flag policy is expected to be debated in the coming week, potentially altering how such symbolic gestures are handled in the future.
