Around 300 people called for an immediate ceasefire in the war-torn Gaza Strip at a rally in Truro city centre on Saturday.  

Protesters gathered on Lemon Quay, bearing placards and shouting “ceasefire now!”  

A speaker who asked to be referred to as Kate asked protesters to imagine the entire population of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset confined to an area the size of West Penwith. 

“It would be rowdy,” she said. “We would rely on strangers to feed us, provide medication, with 500 lorries coming in daily. This is what it’s like in Gaza. Since October 7, 23,350 have been killed – more than all the people in Truro.”  

Professor Mohammad abu Sara, who teaches renewable energy at the University of Exeter’s Penryn campus, told Truro Voice the war had been “devastating” for his family.  

“I think it’s a duty for all free people around the world to stand and make their voices heard against the genocide of the Palestinians,” he said.  

“We want our parliamentary representatives to hear us,” he continued, adding that he had written to his own MP, George Eustice, but not received a reply.  

A medical spoke on behalf of Cornwall healthcare workers, expressing solidarity with counterparts who have been killed in the war zone.