Despite the frigid weather, over a hundred protesters marched from the Legislative Building to City Hall last Saturday, calling for an end to the 42 year rule of Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi. Protestors chanted “Free Libya” and demanded an immediate stop to the violence.

Boshra Mohamed, a first year student at Brandon University who helped organize the rally, said that it is about time that Libyans and the international community spoke out against Gaddafi’s regime.

“Out of motivation from seeing what Egypt did, Libyans finally gained the courage […] They have found their voices and are rightfully fighting for what should have always been theirs,” she said.

“We believe mobilizing in any city is very important as we need people to be aware of the genocide that is happening as we speak,” said Mohamed. “We need them to help us pressure the governments to do something, instead of the ‘no comment’ phrase we keep on hearing.”

As of February 21st the International Coalition Against War Criminals has reported 519 deaths, 3,980 wounded and at least 1,500 missing in Libya since the start of demonstrations a week ago. Some reports claim the death toll has reached 1,000.