SALEM — Around 100 demonstrators marched through the city’s streets Thursday evening to show support for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip amid the Israel-Hamas war.
“We are here to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people and demand that our elected officials call for a ceasefire now,” Lilly Daigle, one of the organizers of the demonstration, said.
Fawaz Abusharkh, a Palestinian-American who also organized the demonstration, said the conflict is turning into a genocide.
Abusharkh, who was born in Gaza, said he knows more than 100 people who’ve been affected by the war in his homeland. He said the complacency of officials goes all the way to the top of the U.S. government.
“We need to stop the siege of Gaza, we need to bring peace to the area,” Abusharkh said. “I don’t understand why Biden isn’t asking for de-escalation and trying to do peace. Where are our American values?”
The protest started at Riley Plaza, where organizers condemned the Israeli military’s attacks on the Gaza Strip.
“Make no mistake. What is happening in Gaza right now is a genocide,” Daigle said. “We are going to take to the streets to make sure that our elected officials from City Hall to Congress hear us loud and clear.”
Ward 4 City Councilor Leveille McClain also spoke to the crowd.
“There are some things we cannot accept as human beings,” McClain said. “Things we cannot accept are the deaths of innocent people and innocent civilians for political agendas.”
In the middle of the speaking program, pro-Israel demonstrators on the other side of the plaza chanted with megaphones in an attempt to drown out the pro-Palestinian speakers, resulting in a tense screaming match between the two sides as police stood by, monitoring the situation.
Tensions did subside before the demonstrators began their march through downtown Salem to the steps of City Hall.
Protestors also stopped in front of the office of Rep. Seth Moulton, who has not called for a ceasefire. Outside of the office, demonstrators chanted “ceasefire now” and “shame on you.”
“He is one of the complacent ones,” Abusharkh said to the crowd gathered outside Moulton’s office. “We demand better.”
The demonstration ended back at Riley Plaza, where protesters said a prayer for the people of Gaza.
Daigle said while there were not yet finalized plans, there will be more demonstrations in the future.
“We won’t stop here,” she said.
