Thousands in San Francisco march to demand end of attacks on Gaza
by John Ramos
November 4, 2023
CBS News Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO -- It has been four weeks since a brutal, coordinated attack by Hamas touched off an Israeli counterstrike offensive in the Gaza Strip and demonstrations against Israel have grown worldwide. The question now is, will that have an impact on U.S. lawmakers and United States policy?
Saturday's pro-Palestinian rally in front of S.F. City Hall drew tens of thousands of people.
Many, like Sand and John Symes of Marin County, have no stake in the land dispute between Israel and the Palestinians. But tragic images on the evening news are something they said they cannot ignore.
"I think it's convincing people to come out of their homes and come on the street like we have, for sure," Sand Symes said. "I don't think people are listening right now. There's so much anger, there's so much resentment, there's so much history in this place, that it feels like we keep missing the point. We keep missing sitting down and really listening to each other."
"I can feel the momentum of it and that's why we had
to get out today," John Symes said. "My son's in Trafalgar Square right
now or he was earlier today. Same deal. People who just feel the
injustice of the world."
Sgt. Kathryn Winters, a spokeswoman for the San Francisco Police Department, said in an e-mail, "The crowd may have been as large as 15-18k, not an official estimate."
"This is a historic moment: millions are pouring out across the world to demand an end to Israel's crimes against the Palestinian people," said Lara Kiswani, executive director of the Arab Resource and Organizing Center in San Francisco, in a statement. "From the Bay Area to Washington, D.C., we are demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and an immediate end to US aid to Israel."
"We're taking to the streets! We're making our voices be heard because we're not going to be complicit in a massacre!" one protester yelled.
Organizers of the San Francisco rally say similar demonstrations were planned to take place Saturday in more than 100 cities around the world. One activist named Noor said people who never would have been involved in such a matter are now being influenced through the power of social media.
"Before, it was a lot harder for people to just take out their phones and see what Israel is doing on the ground," she said. "But now, it's like you have videos, you have photos, showing what's happening. It's hard for people to deny it when they see right in front of their face."
Protest organizers said more than 9,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed by the Israeli military in the last three weeks, including at least 4,000 children.
Will it ultimately have any impact on America's support of Israel in the conflict? UC Berkeley political science professor and Israel Studies chair Ron Hassner expressed doubt.
"The American government has made its stance very clear. You have seen the incredible bipartisan vote earlier in the week, in which 98 percent of the House of Representatives backed a very strong anti-Hamas, pro-Israel statement. The American public, I think, responds viscerally to images of Palestinian fatalities and there have been high rates of Palestinian fatalities, many killed by Hamas, many killed by Israel," Prof. Hassner said.
The government also supported the Vietnam War until televised images convinced the public of its futility, turning the tide against the war. These days, communication is much faster so Americans are faced on a daily basis with the reality of what Israel's war on terrorism actually looks like.
Back at the rally, Sand Symes said she hoped public opinion can have some influence on the conflict.
"I've got to believe that it can," she said. "Otherwise I'm left with a hopelessness. I've got to keep hope. It's a way to keep hope alive."
Tens of thousands gather for pro-Palestinian march in D.C. to demand Gaza cease-fire
Tens of thousands of people demonstrated in Washington, D.C., on Saturday. It was one of the biggest pro-Palestinian protests in the U.S. Tyrone Turner/DCist/WAMU
At least tens of thousands of people gathered in the nation's capital on Saturday for one of the biggest pro-Palestinian protests in the U.S. since the Israeli bombardment of Gaza began in response to the attack by Hamas militants last month.
Protesters are pushing for a cease-fire in Gaza, where health officials say thousands of Palestinians have been killed in Israeli airstrikes.
The event, organized by several pro-Palestinian groups, began with an afternoon rally at Freedom Plaza, before crowds began a march in a loop past the White House a few blocks away.
Protesters hold cloth bundles with the names of Palestinian children who were killed by Israeli attacks. Tyrone Turner/DCist/WAMU
At the rally, speakers' chants and messaging centered on calls to end U.S. funding for Israel in the war, accusing President Biden of backing a "genocide" of Palestinian people.
Nour Jaghama, a Palestinian organizer for the anti-war organization Code Pink, asked the crowd: "Why we can hear these words and firsthand accounts from Gaza yet the genocide still continues? Why do only 18 representatives and only one senator support a cease-fire?"
At Saturday's rally, protesters held a moment of silence for those killed in Israel's response offensive. More than 9,480 Palestinians have been killed by Israel's military attacks over the last four weeks, according to Gaza's health ministry.
A massive crowd gathered in downtown Washington, D.C. to support Palestinians. Tyrone Turner/DCist/WAMU
Israel has tightened its siege on Gaza City in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, the focus of its expanded ground offensive in its stated campaign to defeat Hamas after the militant group carried out attacks on Israeli communities on Oct. 7 that killed about 1,400 people.
The event drew supporters from cities across the country, selling out bus seats for many departure points including Portland, Maine; Boston; Columbus, Ohio; Miami; and at least 10 buses from New York City.
People pause to pray during the rally. Protesters came from across the country to join the rally.
Younass Barkouch, 24, came from Jersey City, N.J., to attend the march. He said that while his family comes from Morocco, he is protesting first and foremost as an American.
"I was raised to believe that the United States condemned atrocities, war crimes, heinous government acts wherever they saw them. Regardless of who committed them," he said.
He believes Israel's response has been disproportionate. He wants a cease-fire and for mediators to come together to resolve the conflict.
Ammara Rana, 39, grew up in Maryland. As a Muslim herself, she said, it was emotional to see the show of solidarity for a Muslim-majority people.
"The unity is amazing — to see so many Americans come out — and I hope Joe Biden sees what he's losing," Rana said. "He's going to lose the vote if he doesn't do anything to stop this."
"We all voted for him for equality," she continued. "And if he doesn't give everybody that right, then he's hopefully not going to be our next president."
Protesters walk underneath a large Palestinian flag. Protesters are pushing for a cease-fire in Gaza.
Pedro Kremer, 48, was raised Jewish in Argentina and now lives outside D.C. He says he was taught that Jews seek justice "everywhere and for everyone."
"What is happening right now is the farthest that justice can be," he said.
Protesters march through Washington, D.C., on Saturday. U.S. officials have so far stopped short of demands for a cease-fire, but pressed Israel on Friday for a "humanitarian pause" in its military offensive.
His stance, questioning Israel's leadership, has created a rift between family and friends, he says — even his best friend, who called him antisemitic. Kremer, who pushed his baby in a stroller during the march, said there's no difference between the value of his son's life or that of a child living in Gaza.
All attendees NPR spoke to at the march expressed support for a cease-fire.
U.S. officials have so far stopped short of demands for a cease-fire, but pressed Israel on Friday for a "humanitarian pause" in its military offensive to allow more aid to enter Gaza and for the release of the more than 200 hostages being held by Hamas.
Protesters gather outside the White House on Saturday. President Biden has requested more than $14 billion in military aid for Israel. Pierre Kattar for NPR
Israel rejected such a pause, saying any sort of cease-fire is contingent on the release of hostages. Later Friday, an Israeli airstrike had hit an ambulance near Al Shifa, a main hospital in Gaza. Palestinians said more than a dozen people were killed in the strike; Israel's military said the target of the bombing was Hamas, whose members Israel says have been using sensitive sites for cover.
The U.S. has given billions in military aid to Israel for years. President Biden last month asked Congress for more than $14 billion in military aid for Israel.
Emma Bowman reported from Los Angeles. Laurel Wamsley reported from Washington, D.C.
https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/sf-palestinian-rally-18463584.php
‘Gaza will be liberated’: Tens of thousands march in S.F. to support Palestinians
by Noah Arroyo
November 4, 2023
San Francisco Chronicle16
1 of 16
Marchers hold a banner outside the federal building in San Francisco during a rally in solidarity with Palestinians. The protest was one of many across the country and around the world as part of International Day of Solidarity.
PHOTO: Benjamin Fanjoy/Special to the Chronicle
Tens
of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters, calling for an end to the
horrors unfolding in the Middle East, rallied Saturday at San
Francisco’s Civic Center Plaza and marched throughout downtown.
The
protest was one of many across the country and around the world as part
of International Day of Solidarity, organized to support Palestinians
in Gaza. Protesters also took to the streets at sister rallies in
Washington, D.C., New York, Nashville, Cincinnati and Las Vegas.
“Our
goal is to create the biggest demonstration in support of Palestine in
U.S. history,” said Noor, an organizer with the Party for Socialism and
Liberation, which convened the rally with local groups and Bay Area
chapters of national and international organizations. The Chronicle is
withholding Noor’s last name because she is concerned that divulging her
identity would endanger her ability to visit her family in Palestinian
territory.
The groups are calling for an end to U.S. military aid
to Israel; an end to Israel’s siege of Gaza and to bombing; and a
freeing of all political prisoners.
A group marches down Market
Street in San Francisco to show support for Palestinians in Gaza and
call for a cease-fire in the Mideast conflict. Video: Benjamin Fanjoy
Special to the Chronicle
Priscilla Rodriguez, a nurse practitioner, came to the rally out of “utter outrage for what’s going on — the genocide.”
“I
hope we can put political pressure, to hopefully cause a cease-fire,”
Rodriguez said. A daughter of Mexican immigrants, she said she
empathizes with the plight of the people in Gaza.
“If it happens to them, it can happen to others next,” she said.
At the rally, speakers engaged the crowd in call and response:
“Free Palestine! From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!”
“From Palestine to Mexico, these border walls have got to go! From Palestine to the Philippines, stop the U.S. war machines!”
The
crowd cheered when speakers called for support for Gazans and booed at
the mention of President Joe Biden. Some speakers equated Israel’s
attacks with genocide.
Protesters wave an upside-down U.S. flag
along with Palestinian flags during a march Saturday on San Francisco’s
Market Street as part of the International Day of Solidarity in support
of Palestinians.
Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle
“Nazism was
acceptable in Germany until people exposed it. Fascism was acceptable in
Italy until people exposed it,” said Monadel Herzallah, co-founder of
the U.S. Palestinian Community Network, addressing the crowd from atop a
truck. Now, “we are witnessing what Zionism really stands for, through
the practices of the state of Israel.”
“Gaza and Palestine is the
spark that is going to create fire under the dictators of the world,
that are killing our people,” Herzallah said. “The people on the street
are sick and tired of the status quo. They are saying in Jordan and
Lebanon that enough is enough!”
Lara Kiswani, executive director
of the Arab Resource and Organizing Center, said that politicians “from
here to Washington, D.C.,” must condemn the military action in Gaza so
no more innocent lives are lost. Elected officials who don’t do that,
“including the ones who sit in that building,” she said, pointing to
City Hall, “are standing with genocide! They’re standing with war!”
Kiswani added: “We will do whatever it takes to make sure we stand on the right side of history.”
The crowd erupted in cheers.
Tens of thousands of protesters rally during the “Free Palestine” march on San Francisco’s Market Street.
Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle
After
the rally, the crowd marched from City Hall down Market Street and
erupted in chants amid a sea of signs and flags: “Cease fire now!” “It’s
not complicated, Gaza will be liberated!” “Biden, Biden, you can’t
hide! We charge you with genocide!”
As the marchers turned south
on Sixth Street on the way to Mission Street, customers at the Gai
Chicken Rice restaurant appeared surprised, many erupting into laughter.
The group marched up Mission to Seventh Street, then headed back to Civic Center.
As
a truck approached to bring the marchers back to where they started, a
preteen girl and one of the adults traded a mic back and forth. They
said together: “The youth, united, will never be defeated!”
Then
the girl led the crowd, shouting, “Takbir,” or “God help us” in Arabic.
The crowd roared back in response, “Allahu akbar,” or “God is great.”
Almost
half of the Gaza population is younger than 18, and women and children
comprise the bulk of the conflict’s casualties, according to the World Health Organization.
Karla
Romero rallies in solidarity with Palestinians as part of the
International Day of Solidarity at San Francisco’s Civic Center.
Benjamin Fanjoy/Special to the Chronicle
One of the protest leaders said the march, which appeared to have tens of thousands of participants, filled 12 city blocks.
It
has been a month since Hamas, the Islamic militant group that has
governed Gaza since 2007, broke through the border into Israel in a
surprise attack that killed more than 1,400 people.
Israel’s
retaliatory bombings were swift and brutal. Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu escalated the conflict last week by sending ground troops into
Gaza. More than 9,000 Gazans have been killed so far, according to the
city’s Health Ministry, in what has become a humanitarian crisis.
U.S.
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken called Saturday for pauses in the
fighting to allow more aid into the Palestinian territory. Egyptian and
Jordanian foreign ministers also called for immediate cease-fires.
Saturday’s Civic Center rally followed Friday’s protest
at the Port of Oakland against a U.S. military ship believed to be
carrying weapons for Israel, and last Saturday’s pro-Palestinian march
through several locations in San Francisco, which briefly closed the Central Freeway.
Reach Noah Arroyo: noah.arroyo@sfchronicle.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Noah
Arroyo is a reporter examining the future of San Francisco. Before The
Chronicle, he worked at Mission Local and the San Francisco Public Press
and focused on the city’s housing and homelessness crises — possibly
two sides of the same coin. Noah takes a data-driven approach when
possible and seeks out the sources who don’t generally get quoted.
