Words from 61 year old Palestinian Refugee in Canada, Maryam Alnazer
"I was born in Palestine, in the city of Hebron. I finished my high school there, under the occupation, of course. I witnessed many scary things in my childhood. I was maybe 5 or 6 years old when the Israeli forces came to my home to arrest my uncle, who was 16 years old, at 3AM. Can you imagine a child, five or six years old, waking up to see the soldier over, with his full weapons?
We had many arrested in my family and in my city, friends and neighbours. It was also very difficult to walk to the school, and many times they (soldiers) came to the school, only trying to frighten people. I still sometimes dream about that that they came. And many nights you also see your neighbour, they kill him for nothing. Many young people.
So I came here as a skilled worker in 2017-2018. I chose Canada from four countries. I preferred Canada because I thought I will find peace and justice here, right? And it's the best country to live in.
Unfortunately, last year was very bad for us to see that there is no democracy in Canada. Without a democracy, there is no peace. I don't really feel safe here anymore because I saw with my own eyes how the police, instead of protecting us, is attacking us. We are only demonstrating peacefully. I really cannot understand when five big policemen attack a tiny girl. One of them held her, and 20 other police protected them, so we cannot help her. Can you imagine? I saw this.
I couldn't believe. I thought I can live in peace here. I really am scared of the police here. They remind me of Israeli soldiers. They are the same, believe me, especially the Toronto ones.
After Land Day (in March), they arrested me. They came to my house. Maybe 12 people, with a ram to open the door if I don't open it. Can you imagine? I'm 61 years old. They took me to the station for five hours, then they released me
I didn't do anything. They are accusing me that I have a weapon and I hit a horse. It was my flag. This is a weapon for them. I didn't even reach out to the horse to push them. The horses are so big and they were walking through us (the crowd).
My background is in physiotherapy. I have a degree in physical culture and physiotherapy. So all my life, I've been working with people, sick people, handicapped, and treating people. I will not hurt anybody.
We are not terrorists. We are trying to protest peacefully here.
I think that any nation under occupation for 76 years has the right to defend itself. We tried with Israel, tried with peace, but Israel is not respecting anything. They are still taking our land, killing our people.
But of course, we still have hope"
-Maryam Alnazer for The Grind
