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<a class="gmail-domain gmail-reader-domain" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/04/us/protests-israels-gaza.html">nytimes.com</a>
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<h1 class="gmail-reader-title">A Snapshot of Support for Palestinians Across America</h1>
<div class="gmail-credits gmail-reader-credits">The New York Times - November 4, 2023<br></div>
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<div class="gmail-moz-reader-content gmail-reader-show-element"><div id="gmail-readability-page-1" class="gmail-page"><div id="gmail-site-content"><div><p>Marches
in Washington, D.C., Ohio, Utah and California, with tens of thousands
of protesters, reflect the many different groups calling for a
cease-fire and lifting of the siege in Gaza.</p><div><div><div><span><img alt="A crowd of people cover a street in Washington, with a police van surrounded by protesters in the center. Several people are waving Palestinian flags." src="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/11/04/multimedia/04nat-marches-cgkt/04nat-marches-cgkt-articleLarge.jpg?quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale" width="392" height="261" class="gmail-moz-reader-block-img" style="margin-right: 25px;"></span></div><span aria-hidden="false">At a pro-Palestinian march in Washington on Saturday, the streets swelled with demonstrators, and the crowd was dense. </span><span><span>Credit...</span><span><span aria-hidden="false">Amir Hamja for The New York Time</span></span></span></div><div width="945px" height="630.2999877929688px"><span></span></div></div></div><div><p>Bearing
flags and united in fury, tens of thousands of demonstrators crowded
the streets of American cities on Saturday to denounce the scope and
scale of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza in response to last month’s
terrorist assault by Hamas.</p><p>The day’s protests, within sight of
the seats of American power in Washington but also in places like New
York, Nashville, Cincinnati, Las Vegas and even Orono, Maine, extended
and amplified demands for a cease-fire and an end to the siege in Gaza.
The demonstrations came a week after vast protests in Asian and European
capitals, and a day after the Israeli government appeared to rebuff the
United States’ call for “humanitarian pauses” in the bombardment. </p><p>But
Saturday’s demonstrators demanded far more than that, their chants in
Washington thundering along Pennsylvania Avenue, their protest signs
filled with messages like “Mourn the dead, fight like hell for the
living” and “Let Gaza live!” Beyond a swift end to the siege that is
exacting a swelling human toll, they also sought a shutdown of American
aid to Israel, blending policy demands with anguish and ambition.</p><p>Some
of the chants, most especially “From the river to the sea!” have been
condemned as an antisemitic call for Israel’s destruction, though many
protesters have defended the slogan as a cry for freedom.</p><p>The
protests in the capital and elsewhere unfolded as public opinion surveys
show support for Israel in its military campaign against Hamas, which
the United States government considers a terrorist organization, but
rising concern for Palestinian civilians.</p><p>Saturday’s
demonstrations also reflected the constellation of causes and groups
that have long connected themselves to the Palestinian cause, including
Black activists, student organizations, labor unions and antiwar and
environmental groups.<span> </span></p><p>Here is a snapshot of who took to the streets in four cities. </p><p><em>— </em><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/alan-blinder" title=""><em>Alan Blinder</em></a><em> and </em><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/kayla-guo" title=""><em>Kayla Guo</em></a><em>, in Washington</em></p><h2 id="gmail-link-5eb5d895">Cincinnati</h2><p>The
city’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, settled by German immigrants in the
1800s, was transformed into a swath of Palestinian support, with
several hundred marchers clogging roads, shutting down intersections and
chanting pro-Palestinian slogans under the watchful eye of a heavy
police presence. </p><p>The rally and march brought together a disparate
group of people. The event was organized by the Cincinnati Socialists,
but it was heavily attended by Muslims, Black activists, college
students and peace advocates. </p><p>Yasmeen Allen, 49, a Muslim who
moved to Cincinnati from Iraq 26 years ago, said that the city’s Muslim
population represented a diverse cross-section of countries, but there
was one thing that united them: support for Palestinians. “The Muslim
population has grown significantly in the 26 years I’ve been here, and
it has grown more diverse,” Ms. Allen said. </p><p>Another common theme
at the rally: cratering support for President Biden for his support for
Israel, and demonstrators’ calls for an immediate cease-fire. “He has
made me so angry. I have not felt this rage towards anyone in a long
time,” Ms. Allen said.<span> </span></p><p>Zaid Monam, 55, an engineer
who moved to Cincinnati three years ago from Australia, said he
appreciated Cincinnati’s diverse Muslim diaspora. Originally from Egypt,
Mr. Monam said Cincinnati’s Muslim community was made up of North
Africans, Uzbeks, Arabs and others from the former Soviet Union — and
that people's views reflect the shifting demographics. </p><p>“American
society is changing in the way people are thinking,” he said. “The new
generation is much more knowledgeable and informed.” </p><p><em>— Kevin Williams </em></p><h2 id="gmail-link-7ba95ded">San Francisco</h2><p>Thousands
of protesters, many of them union members, including teachers and
health care workers, filled Civic Center Plaza in front of City Hall.
Many waved Palestinian flags and left mementos and flowers at an altar
spread on the pavement to honor the thousands of Palestinians in Gaza
who have been killed in the ongoing war.</p></div><div><div><div><div><span><img alt="An altar honoring the thousands who have died in Gaza is adorned with flowers, candles and signs. Several people are standing around it, holding signs in support of Palestinians." src="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/11/04/multimedia/04nat-marches-hqvj/04nat-marches-hqvj-articleLarge.jpg?quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale" class="gmail-moz-reader-block-img" width="392" height="261" style="margin-right: 25px;"></span></div></div><span aria-hidden="false">At
the Civic Center in San Francisco, protesters bring offerings to a
community altar commemorating the thousands who have died in Gaza.</span><span><span>Credit...</span><span><span aria-hidden="false">Rachel Bujalski for The New York Times</span></span></span></div><div width="600px" height="400.20001220703125px"><span></span></div></div><div><div><div><div><span><img alt="Protesters at the pro-Palestine rally at the Civic Center in San Francisco, California." src="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/11/04/multimedia/04-nat-marches-tmfg/04-nat-marches-tmfg-articleLarge.jpg?quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale" class="gmail-moz-reader-block-img" width="392" height="261" style="margin-right: 25px;"></span></div></div><span><span>Credit...</span><span><span aria-hidden="false">Rachel Bujalski for The New York Times</span></span></span></div><div width="600px" height="400.20001220703125px"><span></span></div></div><div><div><div><div><span></span></div></div></div><div width="600px" height="400.20001220703125px"><span><img alt="Protesters at the pro-Palestine rally at the Civic Center in San Francisco, California." src="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/11/04/multimedia/04nat-marches-fhjb/04nat-marches-fhjb-articleLarge.jpg?quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale" width="392" height="261" style="margin-right: 0px;"></span></div></div><div><p>Becca
Rozo-Marsh, who teaches humanities to juniors and seniors at Coliseum
College Prep Academy in Oakland, attended with her wife, who is the
assistant principal at her school, and her 9-year-old son. Ms.
Rozo-Marsh’s union, the Oakland Education Association, sparked
controversy last month when it posted a statement on social media
accusing Israeli government leaders of using “genocidal rhetoric and
policies” against Palestinians. </p><p>Some teachers and parents in the
school district strongly objected to the statement, but Ms. Rozo-Marsh,
36, said she is half-Jewish and that it was important for Jewish people
to condemn what she views as Israel’s “war crimes” in Gaza. She added
that it was important for educators to teach their students about
current events, media literacy and how to “grow up and be good people.”</p><p>“The idea that political involvement is different than education is fundamentally incorrect,” she said.</p><p>Nearby,
Yoongi Tom, a 34-year-old family medicine doctor at San Francisco
General Hospital and a member of the union Committee of Interns and
Residents, wore light blue sunglasses that matched her scrubs. She said
it was essential for health care workers to speak out against Israel’s
bombings of Gaza.</p><p>“We all took an oath to do no harm, and what’s happening right now is a crime against humanity,” she said. </p><p><em>— </em><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/heather-knight" title=""><em>Heather Knight</em></a></p><h2 id="gmail-link-1c8a5bc">Provo, Utah</h2><p>The
group of more than 200 demonstrators that gathered in front of the
Provo City Library comprised a wide range of races, including Muslims,
Arab Americans and immigrants. Many of them dressed in the green, white
and red colors of the Palestinian flag. </p><p>In Provo, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are prominent, and many of them took part in the protest.</p></div><div><div><div><div><span><img alt="Participants listen to speakers during the “Utah County Stands with Palestine” rally at the Provo City Library on Sat. Nov. 4, 2023 in Provo, UT." src="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/11/04/multimedia/04nat-marches-fpkt/04nat-marches-fpkt-articleLarge.jpg?quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale" class="gmail-moz-reader-block-img" width="392" height="261" style="margin-right: 25px;"></span></div></div><span><span>Credit...</span><span><span aria-hidden="false">Kim Raff for The New York Times</span></span></span></div><div width="600px" height="400.20001220703125px"><span></span></div></div><div><div><div><p><span></span></p><div><span><img alt="Jill Ashtawy, whose husband is from Gaza, participates in the “Utah County Stands with Palestine” rally with her family at the Provo City Library." src="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/11/04/multimedia/04nat-marches-jfpq/04nat-marches-jfpq-articleLarge.jpg?quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale" class="gmail-moz-reader-block-img" width="262" height="392" style="margin-right: 0px;"></span></div></div><span><span>Credit...</span><span><span aria-hidden="false">Kim Raff for The New York Times</span></span></span></div><div width="420px" height="628.7666625976562px"><span></span></div></div><div><p>One
of the protest organizers, Augustin Diaz, 38, who goes by Tino and is a
member of the church, criticized church leadership. “The church has
taken up its own stance by simply not speaking out on these things,” he
said. “My personal values, I would argue, fully align themselves with
being pro-Palestine.”</p></div><div><div><div><div><span><img alt="A man wearing a bright vest and a face mask stands in front of the Provo City Library and next to a flag that says “Utah Stands With Palestine.”" src="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/11/04/multimedia/04nat-marches-gmtp/04nat-marches-gmtp-articleLarge.jpg?quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale" class="gmail-moz-reader-block-img" width="392" height="261" style="margin-right: 25px;"></span></div></div><span aria-hidden="false">Tino
Diaz waves to cars passing by, standing next to a flag that reads “Utah
Stands with Palestine” at the Provo City Library on Saturday.</span><span><span>Credit...</span><span><span aria-hidden="false">Kim Raff for The New York Times</span></span></span></div><div width="600px" height="399.6166687011719px"><span></span></div></div><div><p>Emily
Collyer, a 22-year-old member of the church and a student at Brigham
Young University, attended the rally with a friend. “I think it’s easy
for people outside of Utah to view Mormons as a monolith,” she said. “In
my own experience, there are definitely differences in points of view.”</p><p>Like
many who attended, Ms. Collyer said that the conflict cannot be reduced
to a Muslim versus Jewish issue. “I think it is important to understand
the fact that Jewish people have historically been discriminated
against, but that doesn’t justify the killing of innocent Muslim people
in Gaza,” she said. </p><p><em>— Ben Grenaway</em></p><h2 id="gmail-link-f08d027">Washington</h2><p>The
streets in the capital swelled with demonstrators, and the crowd was
dense. Some protesters sat on a ledge outside the White House Visitor
Center, their message to President Biden clear. “Stop U.S. military aid
to Israel” and “You lost my vote,” their signs read.</p><p>The rally
united participants and groups from all over the country. One notable
tie involved Black activists. The link between Black activists and
Palestinians stretches back decades but was reinvigorated in the wake of
the 2014 Ferguson protests and the rise of Black Lives Matter. Many
Palestinian activists connected the police killing of unarmed Black
people to the situation in Gaza and the West Bank. During the George
Floyd protests of 2020, it was common to see “Free Palestine” signs.</p></div><div><div><div><div><span><img alt="Several people wearing keffiyeh are on the street holding signs in support of Palestinians." src="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/11/04/multimedia/04nat-march-dc-hzjm/04nat-march-dc-hzjm-articleLarge.jpg?quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale" class="gmail-moz-reader-block-img"></span></div></div><span aria-hidden="false">The Saturday rally in Washington united participants and groups from all over the country.</span><span><span>Credit...</span><span><span aria-hidden="false">Amir Hamja/The New York Times</span></span></span></div><div width="600px" height="400.20001220703125px"><span></span></div></div><div><div><div><div><p><span></span></p><div><span><img src="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/11/04/multimedia/04nat-marches-tbhp/04nat-marches-tbhp-articleLarge.jpg?quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale" class="gmail-moz-reader-block-img" width="261" height="392" style="margin-right: 0px;"></span></div></div><span><span>Credit...</span><span><span aria-hidden="false">Amir Hamja/The New York Times</span></span></span></div><div width="292.5px" height="438.5333251953125px"><span></span></div></div><div><div><div><p><span></span></p><div><span><img src="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/11/04/multimedia/04nat-marches-lkpz/04nat-marches-lkpz-articleLarge.jpg?quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale" class="gmail-moz-reader-block-img" width="261" height="392" style="margin-right: 0px;"></span></div></div><span><span>Credit...</span><span><span aria-hidden="false">Amir Hamja for The New York Times</span></span></span></div><div width="292.5px" height="438.5333251953125px"><span></span></div></div></div><div><p>Those
ties were evident once again at Saturday’s demonstration. At the rally,
several of the evening’s speakers sought to make common cause with
other social movements on the left, sometimes calling for reparations,
universal health care and climate justice. Others used symbolic language
to convey Black solidarity, promising to protest “’til victory is won,”
a nod to the lyrics of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” a hymn known as the
Black national anthem.</p><p>Mbaru Sesay, 24-year-old social worker
from Silver Spring, Md., said her first protest was in 2020 after the
murder of Mr. Floyd. Her decision to attend Saturday’s protest “wasn’t a
hard one,” she said. </p><p>“It feels empowering,” she said, wearing a
black hooded sweatshirt adorned with the Black power symbol of a fist in
the colors of the Palestinian flag. “It’s easy to feel helpless when
you’re on the outside looking in. I want to use my voice” to support the
people of Gaza. </p><p>Ashon Crawley, 43, a member of the group Black
for Palestine, said he felt compelled to return the support that Black
Americans have received. </p><p>“It’s important to be here to stand in
solidarity with Palestinians, as they stood in solidarity with Black
folks in the United States and globally,” he said. “They are another
group that suffers under the violent power of occupation.”<span> </span></p><p><em>— </em><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/clyde-mcgrady" title=""><em>Clyde McGrady</em></a><em> and Darren Sands</em> </p><p>Shawn Hubler contributed reporting. </p></div></div></div></div>
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