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In photos: Nakba 74 protest in light of the killing of Palestinian-American journalist

May 15 at Westlake Center, a rally was organized to protest the Israeli occupation of Palestine, in light of the recent murder of Palestinian-American Journalist Shereen Abu Aqleh, and to call for an end to United States relations with Israel. 

The “Nakba 74” rally was organized by Falastinyat, a Palestinian collective based in Seattle. The word ‘Nakba’ means ‘disaster’ or ‘catastrophe’. It refers to the disruption and destruction of Palestian society in 1948. 

“These war crimes against journalists are not new. Since 2000, Israel has murdered almost 15 Palestinian journalists in cold blood,” Ranna Harb, co-founder of Falastiniyat, spoke as the crowd echoed with boos. She spoke of Israeli police forces’ use of violence against mourners during Aqleh’s funeral, and of how “the aparthied state of Israel aims to erase [Palestinians], no matter the context.” 

The crowd chants, “Long Live the Intifada,” referencing the Palestinian uprising and resistance against the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip that formally began in 1987. A drum beats as Aisha Mansour, co-founder of Falastiniyat, speaks a message of hope: “A new day is coming for Palestine. A new day will come when Palestian martyrs can be buried in the village of their grandparents.” 

A stray sign against a fence declaring Jewish solidarity with Palestine.
A stray sign against a fence declaring Jewish solidarity with Palestine.
Victoria Winter
Ranna of @falastinyat on Instagram.
Ranna of @falastinyat on Instagram.
Victoria Winter
Protest signs present at the rally.
Victoria Winter Protest signs present at the rally.
A woman writes one of the chants in chalk, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”
A woman writes one of the chants in chalk, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”
Victoria Winter
A couple listens to a speech at the rally.
A couple listens to a speech at the rally.
Victoria Winter
A sign speaks of the murder of Palestinian-American journalist Shereen Abu Aqleh.
A sign speaks of the murder of Palestinian-American journalist Shereen Abu Aqleh.
Victoria Winter
A second sign referencing the murder of Shereen Abu Aqleh by the Israeli state.
A second sign referencing the murder of Shereen Abu Aqleh by the Israeli state.
Victoria Winter
Protestors gather with signs.
Protestors gather with signs.
Victoria Winter
An elderly couple present at the rally.
An elderly couple present at the rally.
Victoria Winter
A protestor brandishes a sign depicting Aqleh.
A protestor brandishes a sign depicting Aqleh.
Victoria Winter
One man turned out, despite injury, to call for the liberation of Palestine.
Victoria Winter One man turned out, despite injury, to call for the liberation of Palestine.
Two people take shifts supporting banners calling for “BDS” or ‘Boycott, Divestment, and Sactions’, a Palestinian-led movement for freedom.
Two people take shifts supporting banners calling for “BDS” or ‘Boycott, Divestment, and Sactions’, a Palestinian-led movement for freedom.
Victoria Winter
The banners calling for boycotts, divestment, and sanctions.
The banners calling for boycotts, divestment, and sanctions.
Victoria Winter
One of the speakers present at the rally.
One of the speakers present at the rally.
Victoria Winter
One protestor uses his keffiyeh to protect his phone from the rain as he streams the event. A keffiyeh is a traditional Arabian headdress made of cotton, initially used to protect from the sun and sand, it is now a symbol of Palestinian nationalism.
Victoria Winter One protestor uses his keffiyeh to protect his phone from the rain as he streams the event. A keffiyeh is a traditional Arabian headdress made of cotton, initially used to protect from the sun and sand, it is now a symbol of Palestinian nationalism.
Families showed up, children and their mothers, were present at the rally.
Victoria Winter Families showed up, children and their mothers, were present at the rally.
The banners.
Victoria Winter The banners.
A sign clarifies the stance that anti-zionism is not the same as anti-semetism.
A sign clarifies the stance that anti-zionism is not the same as anti-semetism.
Victoria Winter

Author

Victoria Winter

Victoria Winter is trying to prove that nothing human is alien to us. On paper, she is a second year student at Seattle Central College, potentially majoring in anthropology and philosophy. In reality, she is fascinated by using the mediums of photojournalism and writing to explore subcultures - the fringes, the limelight, and everything in between. She is in love with humans. Her only firm beliefs are that everything should be explored and most things are easier at night.

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