PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A massive rally took over Center City Sunday, where demonstrators demanded justice and freedom for Palestinians amid the war in Israel.
The peaceful demonstration started in Rittenhouse Square, where Palestinian supporters called for a dramatic change to relations in the Middle East.
“We demand that Israel immediately lift the siege of Gaza to allow the entry of humanitarian aid and we demand an end to airstrikes on Gaza and the halting of a ground invasion of troops,” said one protester. “We demand an end to Israeli occupation and colonization of Palestinian land that is the root of 75 years of Palestinian suffering.”
After Hamas’ brutal surprise attack on Israel, Israel has continued to retaliate with an assault on Gaza. The war has left more than 4,000 people dead on both sides. The U.S. State Department says at least 30 Americans have died in the conflict and 13 remain missing. United Nations observers expect conditions to worsen in Gaza.
Many who marched with the Philadelphia Palestinian Solidarity Coalition criticize media coverage that they say favors Israel.
“We are here to say that we want to put an end to the genocide and the U.S. complicity,” said Rami Ibrahim, one of the march speakers. “Over 75 years of illegal occupation, Gaza being locked down for 16 years. This is simply about human rights. Not an Israeli thing, not a Palestinian thing. We want our basic human rights.”
Find more local coverage about the war in Israel here.