Rally For Palestine In Princeton Calls For Peace, Justice

PRINCETON, NJ — Hundreds of people showed up at Hinds Plaza Princeton on Friday evening to show support for Palestinians, the day after a ceasefire ended the latest round of violence in the Middle East.

The rally was organized by a coalition of area groups — Jewish Voice for Peace, American Muslims for Palestine-NJ, Central Jersey Democratic Socialists of America, and Princeton Committee on Palestine. The rally began with demonstrators dancing to Palestinian music.

“We all have reasons to be here and we should reflect on those reasons,” said Zia Mian founder of Princeton Committee on Palestine, Princeton University.

“Freedom, equality, and justice — these are universal principles that apply to everybody.”

Milan told the crowd that to defend and support the people of Palestine, one has to defend and support all people everywhere who are victims of injustice and inequality.

"When they protest, we have to be there for them. They are also fighting the same struggle we are.”

Thirteen community leaders and activists spoke at the rally, calling for peace.

“Never again will we allow Islamophobes and Anti-Semites to separate and manipulate our two communities,” said Jacob Bender, Executive Director of CAIR, Philadelphia.

The goal of the rally said organizers was to raise “awareness,” and encourage members of Princeton and New Jersey to ask their local representatives and legislators, to demand “justice and oppose systemic racism, colonialism, and crimes against humanity.”

Violent clashes began on May 10, after Hamas fired rockets close to Jerusalem and Israel responded with airstrikes. A ceasefire on Thursday brought an end to the violence.

On Monday Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to the Middle East to push for further peace talks, reported the AP.

Zellie Imani, of Black Lives Matter – Paterson, said BLM “stands in solidarity with the people of Palestine.”

"Palestinians deserve peace just like anybody else,” he said.

In between each speaker, an organizer read the names of people who lost their lives in the violence during the past few weeks.

There were a few counter-protesters present across the street and some tense moments ensued as demonstrators faced off. But the organizers welcomed counter-protestors to join the rally to listen to the other point of view.

The rally was peaceful, and demonstrators also walked around Princeton in a procession.

Here are some photos from Friday's rally: