NEW HAVEN, Conn — The people of Gaza and their plight were on the minds of many in New Haven on Sunday. A rally was held in New Haven in support of the Palestinians living there and dying there.
As people marched down the streets, the Palestinian Kufiya was draped around many pro-Palestinian supporters, a scarf that signifies the strength of the people of Palestine.
“Using our voices to illuminate is all we can do,” said Basel Alnajja.
From generation to generation, people of all ages showed their support to those in Gaza.
“I saw over the news, I felt bad for how the little kids were getting treated badly,” said Riahana Bouhnan.
“My father survived an exodus of 1948 and still tells us the stories,” James Shaham.
The history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the current Israel-Hamas War is what is top of mind for the hundreds of people at the protest on the New Haven Green.
“It is a sad thing to see people in general dying on any side, but importantly the people close their eyes on Palestinians. All of the persons who’s been dying since before 48 til now. They only see the Israeli,” Mahoumd Mansour.
Many of the people who are at the protest are standing in solidarity with many family members that they still have in Gaza.
“I have my mom, my brothers and sisters, nieces, and extended family in Gaza Strip,” said Mansour.
While more than half a million people in Gaza are relying on aid from the UN that is slowly trickling across the border, people here in Connecticut are calling for more action from lawmakers here at home.
“We want our Congress, our representatives, we want the government to condemn genocide in the Gaza Strip. They need to call for a ceasefire,” said Layan Alnajjar.
Many pro-Palestinian supporters say the biggest takeaway from this protest is, “Illuminate their stories, talk to people about what’s really happening over there, educate people over here, so what’s happening over here can translate over there and we can achieve peace and justice for them,” said Alnajjar.
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