On Sunday, Nov. 12, thousands rallied in front of the state capitol building in Austin, Texas, in support of a ceasefire in the heat of the Israel-Palestine conflict. The protest was organized by the Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM) with support from the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL).
According to speakers from PYM, the event became the largest protest on the matter in Texas history, with roughly 10,000 people in attendance.
During the protest, various demonstrations were held, the most notable being a banner that would be passed through the crowd. On the banner were the names of Palestinians who have died in Gaza since the conflict resurged last month.
Throughout the day, there were various speakers, one of which being Nida Abu-Baker, the daughter of Shukri Abu-Baker. Her father is the co-founder of the Holy Land Foundation (HLF), and is serving 65 years in prison in the U.S. in regard to his connection with HLF.
“[My father] is now serving 65 years in a federal prison here in the U.S., under Israeli order. All he did was provide humanitarian aid all over the world, including to the children of Gaza,” Abu-Baker said. “They told my father in prison to call me, to tell me to tone it down a little bit. They want me to tone it down a little bit? They want me to tone it down while bombs are being dropped one after another. How can I possibly stay silent when my home was raided when I was only 10 years old and I watched them take my father away with guns aimed at our heads?”
To conclude her speech, Abu-Baker recited a poem her father had recently sent her through the prison email system, titled “When children don’t die.”
Among the speakers and demonstrators, there was also an artist painting a mural in the crowd. Roberto Marquez drove from Dallas to show his support through artistic expression.
“This tragedy is getting to a point that it’s unbearable; it’s getting out of hand. I like to protest, but right now I’m more anti-painting. I have right behind me Netanyahu shooting victims,” said Marquez. “I have been an artist, humanitarian [and] activist, whenever there’s the chance. Not because I want to, though, whenever there’s injustice happening. Right now, what’s happening with the Israeli government, I am 100% opposed.”
Concluding the protest, PYM organized a march through downtown Austin, showcasing the immense support behind the event.
