Several hundred people filled Nathan Phillips Square and the rooftop courtyard overlooking it Monday morning to watch the flag of Palestine be raised at Toronto city hall for the first time.

The flag went up after an 11th-hour bid to prevent the move was dismissed by a judge.

“This is an opportunity for us to reaffirm our commitment to support the people of Gaza and those in the Occupied Palestinian Territories,” said Shane Martínez, a representative of the non-profit International Centre of Justice for Palestinians, which requested the flag be flown.

The flag will stay up until Tuesday morning to commemorate Palestine’s independence day, which is Nov. 15.

Mississauga, Brampton and Calgary marked the occasion in the same fashion over the weekend. Mayors Carolyn Parrish and Patrick B

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