NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Protesters filled the streets in support of Palestine in Downtown Norfolk on Saturday.
The protesters are calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. One sign read out “from the river to the sea” while another cited a quote from Nelson Mandela about the necessity for Palestinians’ freedom.
Below are photos taken by WAVY staff of the protest.
Protesters marched over a mile down City Hall Avenue, down Granby Street and up around Brambleton Avenue.
It was something protester Tariq Jawhar said they’ve been doing every Saturday from the weekend after the Israel-Hamas war broke out.
“It’s a diverse crowd and people come out here and everyone, they’re coming united for one cause,” Jawhar said.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 34,000 Palestinians have died in the war.
Jawhar told 10 On Your Side it’s a humanitarian crisis.
“It’s a crime and a stain on humanity,” Jawhar said. “It reflects on how we do, how we act. We’re going to sit by and let this happen?”
Saturday’s demonstration came on the heels of many other pro-Palestine protests at colleges and universities across the country. Many of those ended with protestors, including students and staff, being arrested. Earlier in the week, more than 80 protesters were arrested at Virginia Tech.