Locarno Film Festival protest features shroud with 60,000 Gaza victims' names

At the Locarno Film Festival, approximately 100 demonstrators held a peaceful protest by unfurling a large white shroud printed with the names of 60,000 people killed in Gaza. The demonstration, which took place near the Piazza Grande, was organized by three Swiss groups: Swiss Healthcare Workers Against Genocide, a local Ticino group, and the citizens' group 24maggio.

Organizers stated the shroud provides "a name and a visual representation to at least some of the victims of the genocide in Gaza." Through distributed literature, the protesters called on the Swiss government to pressure Israel to open Gaza's borders to essential aid and independent media, and to allow injured victims to receive medical treatment in Switzerland. They also demanded that Switzerland impose sanctions if Israel continues to violate the Geneva Convention.

Festival officials noted they were informed of the protest in advance and stated they respect the right to free speech as long as it is conducted safely without disrupting attendees. The shroud used in the protest had previously been displayed in Amsterdam and in front of the Swiss Parliament in Bern.