TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – People of all faiths and perspectives showed up at Promenade Park on Sunday to call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
Local organizers have held daily events over the past three months in support of Palestine, from protests to online events to educational sessions.
Some speakers called on their community to continue to come forward in greater ways.
“Do our actions truly show our oppressed brothers and sisters that we see you, we hear you, and we will stand up for you? Or will we continue our lives acting as if things are normal? » said Omar Heif, a speaker at the demonstration.
Heif is a member of the University of Toledo chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine and the Toledo chapter of American Muslims for Palestine.
He said that this issue is not a question between Jews and Muslims, nor does it concern a single group of people. Speakers, including various religious leaders and organizations, all came to speak about their support for Gaza.
“We are calling on our Christian, Jewish and Muslim brothers and sisters to come out and basically show their support,” Heif said.
Looking out at the large crowd, Heif called for collective action, drawing inspiration from a leader who believed in that same message.
“Because, as Dr. King said, no one is free until we are all free,” Heif said.
Throughout the event, community members recalled their personal ties to Palestine, urged people to register to vote and call their representatives, boycott certain businesses, and overall broadcast a rallying cry.
“Just liberate Palestine, that’s all,” Heif said.
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