24-hour 'Gaza' rally begins in New York

Gathering in the courtyard of New York City Hall, U.S. activists stated that they would continue their protest until an immediate and permanent ceasefire is achieved in Gaza.

At the 24-hour rally, which is supported by many non-governmental organizations, speakers called on the U.S. to stop supporting Israel and attempted to make their voices heard by New York Mayor Eric Adams and city council members.

Some Jewish-American residents of New York loudly expressed that Israel is committing "genocide" in Gaza and that they do not want their taxes to support it.

Activists, who laid out a giant banner on the sidewalk in front of City Hall inscribed with the names of tens of thousands of civilians who lost their lives in Gaza, chanted slogans such as "Free Palestine," "Ceasefire now," "Don't send our taxes to Israel," and "Don't support genocide."

CALL FOR CEASEFIRE

Burhan Carroll, an attorney for the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), told an AA reporter, "Our only request is an immediate and permanent ceasefire against the genocide in Gaza. We want our local politicians who have not yet signed a ceasefire resolution to do so immediately."

Stating that he found the actions of Aaron Bushnell, the U.S. airman who died after setting himself on fire in the capital, Washington, on Sunday to protest Israel's killing of civilians in Gaza, to be "very brave," Carroll said, "God willing, I hope there will be a time when we no longer have to die for Palestine and Gaza."

Rabbi Abby Stein, a New York-based woman who gave a speech in support of Palestinians, said, "I am here as a Jew, a Rabbi, and an Israeli citizen because, as a Jew, not killing people and understanding that every human being is a part of the divine is an important religious and cultural belief for me."

"Over 100 million dollars in tax revenue from the New York City Council is being transferred to the federal government to support Israel," Stein said, adding that the partnership between the New York Police Department and the Israeli government and police should also be terminated.

Stein, who also mentioned that she is an educator and author, pointed to the upcoming month of Ramadan, emphasizing that this is "a good time to think about the millions of people starving in Gaza" and that they should encourage people to collect food and money for Gaza.

News Source: AA