“Say it clear and say it loud!” one of the lead organizers chanted through his megaphone on Sunday. “Gaza, you make us proud!” The crowd recited the chant passionately, cupping their hands around their mouths to amplify the sound. Their voices echoed throughout the city, as passing cars honked their horns and raised their fists to show support.
Hundreds of people gathered at the Grassy Knoll in solidarity with Palestinian people. Community members — including students, teachers and constituents of the Party for Socialism — proudly held banners and took to the streets to make their message heard.
Students stand in solidarity with Palestine, joining thousands of students across college campuses doing the same.
Christine Odwesso
“Gaza, Gaza, don’t you cry!” the crowd shouted. “We will never let you die!”
After the organizers led the crowd in chants, Unviersity of California Berkeley professor Hatem Bazian was welcomed to the podium and addressed the audience. Bazian spoke about the dangers of xenophobia and criticized Western governments for its role in the ongoing violence in Palestine.
Hatem Bazian spoke about the Palestinian struggle, calling for unity against colonization.
Christine Odwesso
Bazian recognized the students in the crowd and celebrated their activism, encouraging them to push forward.
“You are making history,” Bazian said. “Your story, your struggle, your encampments, your sit-ins, your movement. Everything will be recorded in history books, and you will be celebrated at the time and place when Palestine is free.”
Bazian also acknowledged the courage of the Jewish people in the audience. He condemned Zionism and colonialism, emphasizing the need for solidarity.
Imam Omar Suleiman addresses attendees, reflecting on the strange nature of memorializing tragedy.
Christine Odwesso
The crowd roared in applause as he exited the stage. After his speech, Nida Abu Baker spoke passionately about her father's unjust imprisonment, recalling a time in her childhood when her house was raided and guns were pointed at her head. She declared herself a daughter of Palestine and urged people to support the ongoing struggle for liberation.
Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein followed Baker’s speech, calling for an immediate, permanent ceasefire and a weapons embargo. She reminded the audience of their strength and encouraged them to wield it.
“We must resist in the street, on our campuses, in the voting booth, everywhere,” Stein said. “We must assert our power and know that it is the opposite of what they try to tell you. They try to tell you that you must take marching orders from the economic and political elite. They tell you you must vote for the lesser evil we say, ‘What lesser evil?'”
After a few more speeches, attendees marched on the streets, chanting “Whose streets? Our streets!” Other speakers, most notably Pastor Fredrick Hanes, stood in the bed of a black pick-up truck to address the crowd as they marched through the city.
The demonstration ended in prayer, with one collective hope: "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free."
