CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Chicagoans in support of an end to violence in Gaza held a Black Friday protest on the Magnificent Mile.
Chanting, “Gaza, Gaza, don’t you fear, we the people are here,” nearly 200 people gathered in Water Tower Park to call for an end to violence in Gaza beyond a current hostage swap ceasefire.
Even in the midst of a hostage swap truce between Israel and Hamas, Chicagoans with ties to Gaza worry about what comes after the ceasefire.
Chicagoan Hossam wants the US to stop providing military funding to Israel and for the violence to come to an end, permanently.
“We’re here to remind everyone that we will do what we can as people. It’s not that controversial if you say against genocide. That’s all we’re asking for. Stop the aggression and just do what we can as people,” Hossam said.
This "No Business As Usual" protest was organized by the Chicago Coalition for Justice in Palestine and took place on a peak holiday shopping day in the world-renowned shopping district that is the Mag Mile. But, it seemed to have little to know impact on the shopping experience across the street.
Hamas on Friday released 24 hostages it held captive in Gaza for weeks, and Israel freed 39 Palestinians from prison in the first stage of a swap under a four-day cease-fire that offered a small glimmer of relief to both sides.
Israel — wrenched by the abduction of nearly 240 people in Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack that triggered the war — cheered as 13 Israeli women and children emerged free from Gaza. Most were in their 70s or 80s, and the youngest was a 2-year-old. Also released were 10 people from Thailand and one from the Philippines.
In Gaza, the truce’s start Friday morning brought the first quiet for 2.3 million Palestinians reeling and desperate from relentless Israeli bombardment that has killed thousands, driven three-quarters of the population from their homes and leveled residential areas.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Listen to our new podcast Looped In: Chicago
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram