Students and advocates united together on Saturday morning in front of Old Main at the "All Out for Palestine" rally as conflict continues in the Israel-Palestine region.
The crowd of around 1,000 people marched across the Palm Walk Overpass and down South College Avenue before making its way back to Old Main. The event was organized by Students for Justice in Palestine, MECHA de ASU, Anakbayan Phoenix, BLM Phoenix Metro, Code Pink and Poder in Action. The rally was one of many held around the University campus over the past few weeks.
READ MORE: Students march on Tempe campus to rally for Palestine amid regional conflict
In an emailed statement regarding a previous rally held on Thursday, Oct. 12, a University spokesperson said "Arizona State University neither endorses nor restricts opinions voiced at campus demonstrations."
The most recent rally included University students, families and other members of the community. Eslam Hag, an Arizonan from the Middle East, said he brought his family to the rally because he wanted to show his daughters they can always stand up and use their voice.
"I stand for no damage to civilian lives and innocent lives, regardless of their nationality, race, religion … All lives are sacred," Hag said. "I want my children to know that it’s not right and they can speak up."
Others in attendance included those with previous ASU connections like Leena, an alumna from 2020. Leena, who requested to only be identified by her first name, said the people rallying today were seeking an end to the violence against people in Gaza.
"We are simply asking for humanity," Leena said. "It’s not much to ask for our people not to get killed … The people in Gaza don’t get to grow up, and they don’t get to reach the age we are at now, advocating for ourselves."
Rowan, a young woman from Palestine who also requested to only be identified by her first name, said she attended the rally because she has experienced dangerous situations in Palestine amidst the decades-long tensions and violence in the region and because the conflict is personal to her.
"I am so happy we are finally being heard and finally feeling like we aren’t alone," Rowan said. "I bleed like everyone else does."
Attendee Omer Bayrami said he showed up to the protest for the sake of humanity.
“What we’re trying to show is how we are human beings. Everyone needs to be on board to understand the truth that we are all humans — whether you are Israeli or Palestinian."
Editor's note: The State Press is committed to fair coverage of our campus community. To read more on other perspectives about the ongoing conflict, click here.
This story may be updated.
Edited by Shane Brennan, Jasmine Kabiri and Angelina Steel
Reach the reporter at alysa.horton@gmail.com and follow @alysa_horton on X.
Like The State Press on Facebook and follow @statepress on X.
Alysa is a senior studying journalism and mass communication with a minor in political science. This is her fifth semester with The State Press. She has also worked at The Arizona Republic.
