AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Hundreds of people from different faiths and backgrounds gathered at Promenade Park in Toledo, Ohio, on Sunday to demand a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and an end to Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories.
The rally was organized by local groups that have been holding daily events in support of Palestine for the past three months, such as protests, online forums, and educational sessions.
Omar Heif, one of the speakers at the rally, urged the attendees to take more action and show solidarity with the Palestinians who are facing oppression and violence.
"Do our actions truly reflect our commitment to our oppressed brothers and sisters? Do we see them, hear them, and stand with them? Or do we act as if things are normal?" Heif said.
Heif is a member of the University of Toledo chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine and the Toledo chapter of American Muslims for Palestine. He said the issue is not about religion, but about human rights and justice. He was joined by other speakers from various religious and civic organizations who expressed their support for Gaza.
"We call on our Christian, Jewish, and Muslim brothers and sisters to show up and show their support," Heif said.
He also invoked the words of Martin Luther King Jr., a leader who championed nonviolent resistance and social justice.
"Like Dr. King said, no one is free until we all are free," Heif said.
Throughout the event, community members shared their personal connections to Palestine, encouraged people to vote and contact their representatives, boycotted certain companies that profit from the occupation, and chanted a common slogan.
"Free Palestine, that's it," Heif said.
The rally came amid the ongoing Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip, which began on October 7 after Hamas launched a series of rocket attacks in response to Israel's escalating violations of Palestinian rights.
According to the latest reports, the Israeli military has killed more than 23,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured nearly 59,000 others. Thousands more are missing and feared dead under the rubble in Gaza, which is under a tight blockade by Israel.
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