SEATTLE — Hundreds of people in western Washington walked 25 miles on Sunday, mirroring the length of the Gaza Strip, to show support for and solidarity with Palestinians.
The march happened after three major developments in the ongoing conflict:
Hamas fired a barrage of rockets from Gaza that set off air raid sirens as far away as Tel Aviv. No casualties were reported. An Israeli airstrike killed at least 35 people in Gaza and the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to end its military offensive in Rafah.
The march started at North SeaTac Park and ended at Golden Gardens. Nicole Loeffler, one of the organizers, said the march was a way to connect with Palestinians and push for change.
"25 miles is the length of Gaza," Loeffler said. "We're focused on the genocide happening in Gaza. We're focused on the people who've been forced to walk. In doing this by choice, we are trying to build solidarity in the movement here and a sense of connection with Palestinians. We're multifaith, multiracial, many backgrounds, many ages."
A release from the organizers said those who walked, drew attention to the forced displacement, restricted movement, and expulsion of Palestinians from their homes.
"As an anti-Zionist Jew, I stand in solidarity with Palestinians resisting occupation, dehumanization, and unspeakable violence," Loeffler said.
Talia Braester, another organizer, said what's happening in Gaza is personal. Their father is an Israeli Jew. Braester said they felt compelled to speak up and organize after seeing all the death and destruction in Gaza.
"As a person of Jewish descent, the oppression of some of us will never free all of us," they said. "What a waste of our tax dollars that we are using our money to fund the destruction of children."
According to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and fighters in its count, it's estimated the IDF has killed almost 36,000 people. Israel blames civilian deaths on Hamas because the militants operate in dense, residential areas.