More protests in Wisconsin calling for a ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict drew out the largest crowd yet in the state for a “Day of Action for Palestine” in Milwaukee March 2.
Over 1,000 people came out to the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, 4707 S. 13th St., to continue protesting for a ceasefire in Gaza organized by the Wisconsin Coalition for Justice in Palestine. The Day of Action for Palestine drew out the largest crowd yet for any ceasefire protest in Wisconsin, more than doubling Madison’s biggest protest in Dec. 2023.
“We have to stand for the people of Gaza because, unfortunately, most people, most governments around the world are not standing up for anyone, and they’re allowing a genocide to take place before their eyes,” said Othman Atta, executive director of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee. “So we are going to be the conscience of the world because we want a free Palestine.”
(Photo by Omar Waheed)
Atta drew attention to failures to prevent the ongoing massacre of Palestinians in Gaza. He parallels the current conflict to the Nakba in 1948 calling it “Nakba two.” During the Nakba of 1948, the estimated death toll of Palestinians was 15,000 over the course of multiple massacres.
The current conflict in Gaza, which has been ongoing since Oct. 7, 2023, has surpassed 30,000 deaths according to the Gaza Ministry of Health’s latest figure from Feb. 29.
The protest started with roughly 600 people at the Islamic Society of Milwaukee. When the march started down West Layton Avenue, more protesters steadily flocked to the group to make it over 1,000 strong.
“I think it’s reflective with how many people are asking for an end to this genocide,” said Janan Najeeb with the Wisconsin Coalition for Justice in Palestine. “Most normal people are not okay with genocide, especially when it’s involving women and children and I think that to just see the massive diversity of the people that are here shows that this is not a Palestinian issue. This is not a Muslim issue … this is a human issue.”
Protestors marched for a bit under a mile between the Islamic Society of Milwaukee and its community center at 815 W. Layton Ave. where Day of Action for Palestine capped off with an International Women’s Day Celebration.
