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‘Hamas vigil’ is fake, no event planned, Mississauga mayor says

Pabio November 12, 2024

‘Hamas vigil’ is fake, no event planned, Mississauga mayor says

Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish believes rumors circulating about a vigil planned to honor the slain Hamas leader are false and that no such event is planned.

Taking to social media this evening (November 11), Parrish said his own investigation found reports about the vigil to be false. Additionally, the Peel Muslim Council says rumors about the vigil were circulated to “sow division” in the community.

“Consulted a network of Muslim organizations, serious partners in many activities in our city – sports training, walkathons for Trillium Hospital and diabetes. I asked them to find the anonymous notice of the vigil at city hall. No organization exists. No vigil planned,” Parrish commented on X (formerly Twitter).

News of a vigil began emerging last week and was perpetuated by a virtual flyer announcing the event as planned for Nov. 26 in Celebration Square, across from City Hall.

“Commemorating 40 days of martyrdom of Resistance leaders fighting for Palestinian freedom.” the flyer reads showing a photo of assassinated Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, as well as images of poppies.

Although the flyer cannot be linked to an original source, it was widely circulated by those who condemned the event and who called on Parrish to prevent it from happening.

Although the vigil could not be confirmed, several media outlets picked up the story.

In a statement, the Muslim Council of Peel (MCP), an umbrella organization representing several agencies, said the leaflet in circulation was intended to cause tension in the community.

“The flyer is being circulated on social media by accounts attempting to sow division within Mississauga and undermine the leadership of Mayor Carolyn Parrish,” the MCP message states. “MCP strongly condemns these divisive actions and confirms that the flyer is not associated with any legitimate organization in Mississauga.

Initially, Parrish said the city knew about the vigil.

“Under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, groups have the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly,” Parrish said late last week. “The City will not interfere with a peaceful vigil, as long as all City laws and ordinances are followed.”

The MCP said the disinformation spread in the flyer distracted from current humanitarian issues in Gaza.