On Friday, March 28th, Around 40 St. Louis residents got together for an emergency rally to call for US officials to hold Israel accountable for breaking the “ceasefire” deal that was agreed upon on January 19th. The ceasefire lasted 42 days, and ended on March 18th when Israel sent devastating airstrikes into Gaza that killed around 400 people, and injured at least 500 more according to Gaza health officials.
The St. Louis branch of the nationwide group known as the Party for Socialism and Liberation, and UMSL’s Middle Eastern Student Association organized the protest, and lead the march.
When asked why she decided to show up for the march, Kelly, 23, said “I’m here in support of Mahmoud Khalil who was detained at Columbia University, and because of some of our shared experiences, I feel like he’s a comrade.”
Mahmoud Kahlil is a Palestinian student-activist who was detained by government officials for his involvement in protests for Palestine at Columbia university.
When asked what her first reaction to hearing about Mahmoud Khalil’s detention was, Nida, 25, said “I was surprised, but not really. With the shift rightward that the US, and other countries have taken, Mahmoud’s green card status wasn’t enough to protect him. It signals to any of us, that we’re also in danger.”
When Nida was also asked why she showed up to the protest, and said “I have family in the West Bank, so it fuels my passion.”
Leah, 21, when asked what her initial reaction to hearing about Mahmoud’s detention, told me “It was horrific, the fact that we claim we have free speech, and that it’s considered a huge part of the United States of America makes it really disappointing, but not surprising.”
When asked what his initial reaction to Khalil’s detention was, Angel Flores-Fontanez, 35 said “Will I be next? I am a Puerto Rican student, and even though my status with the United States is different, I still feel vulnerable. Because, Trump has shown that he doesn’t care about who has legal status, and who doesn’t. He just cares about who agrees with him. In the mean time, I’m gonna try to help as much as I can with those that have fallen victim to ICE, and DHS.”
The protest started at 4:00 PM, and ended at a little after 6.
Shouting a chant into a megaphone with the wind blowing from behind, Kelly, 23 leads the march through St. Louis.
Photo by; Seth Donovan
Waving the Palestinian flag, and shouting a chant, Nida, 25, walks in front of the crowd. Nida has family members in the West Bank of Palestine.
Photo by; Seth Donovan
Shouting a chant, and holding the lead banner of the march, Leah, 21, said “It was really disspointing, but not surprising” when asked about Khalil’s detention.
Photo by; Seth Donovan
Giving a speech to the crowd, Angel, 35, is one of the leaders of the St. Louis branch of PSL.
Photo by; Seth Donovan
While the march was at a stopping point, a protestor does the beat for a song.
Photo by; Seth Donovan
Around 40 St. Louis residents showed up on Friday, March 28th in support of Palestine.
Photo by; Seth Donovan
Around 40 St. Louis residents showed up on Friday, March 28th in support of Palestine.
Photo by; Seth Donovan
Beating the drum, and helping lead the march, Amna Al-Zahrani, 31 is a notable activist in the St. Louis area.
Photo by; Seth Donovan
While in front of the march, a protestor waves a flag. Around 40 people showed up to Friday’s protest.
Photo by; Seth Donovan
Around 40 St. Louis residents showed up on Friday, March 28th in support of Palestine.
Photo by; Seth Donovan
Around 40 St. Louis residents showed up on Friday, March 28th in support of Palestine.
Photo by; Seth Donovan
Around 40 St. Louis residents showed up on Friday, March 28th in support of Palestine.
Photo by; Seth Donovan
Around 40 St. Louis residents showed up on Friday, March 28th in support of Palestine.
Photo by; Seth Donovan
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