- More than a month after the Israel-Hamas conflict began, thousands of protesters poured into Columbus Circle on Friday to show support for Palestine.
- Demonstrators are calling the bombings in Gaza a humanitarian crisis and are demanding an end to U.S. aid to Israel.
- “We have family in Gaza, yes we do, and their homes have been destroyed,” said Ayesh. “We go to the mosque every day. There are prayers for the dead. There are no more tears to shed for the children in Palestine and yet our government supports not the peaceful side of the quote, unquote Israel. They’re supporting the IDF killing, bombing children.”
- When a counter-protester confronted demonstrators brandishing an Israeli flag and carrying a banner criticizing Hamas and endorsing Israel, the situation became more tense.
- “They’ve been attacked their entire existence,” pro-Israel demonstrator Gregory Jachts said. “They make a peace agreement and the next day they’re attacked. They defend themselves, and how can you not defend someone. They come in, they attack kids at a music festival, they behead babies, they kill and rape women, they kill parents in front of their children.”
- The protest spilled into the streets, stopping traffic, as protestors made their way through Manhattan. Their calls echo the urgent need for diplomatic solutions.