Lori Graham
Contributing Writer
As weapon attacks continue in Gaza, local community members are speaking out for an end to the loss of life and wounded civilians resulting from the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel and their response.
On Tuesday, Dec. 4, students along with members of the New River Valley communities, gathered on the Virginia Tech drill field for a peaceful demonstration. As names of some of the dead were read over a megaphone, the loss was described as devastating by demonstrators.
Speaking on anonymity, one demonstrator said the names reflected whole families that have been destroyed, with ages ranging from senior citizens to babies, some sharing the same family name.
“Kids in Gaza are writing their names on their arm in the case they are under rubble and unidentifiable or dismembered by bombs. This American lady was telling her kids this story at the demonstration. She started to write her name on her arm, the kids then wrote their names on their arm, and everyone started laying down at the demonstration,” one demonstrator said.
Another demonstrator speaking on anonymity said, “What is happening against children is heartbreaking.”
A group of local citizens, still in the process of organizing, is forming to provide grief support to those impacted by the tragedies that are ongoing in the Gaza/Israel attacks. Additionally, the group is aiming to spread their message to politicians that they feel are not hearing the voice of the United States citizens wishing for a permanent cease fire. United Nations members have also called for a permanent ceasefire.
According to the United Nations website at press.un.org, the number of children killed in this conflict has reached incredible numbers.
“In a matter of weeks, a far greater number of children have been killed by Israeli military operations in Gaza than the total number of children killed during any year, by any party to a conflict, since I have been Secretary-General,” António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations said.
Virginia Tech University’s Students for Peace and Justice in Palestine (SPJP) posted a statement on October 12th on their organization’s Instagram account.
“We implore our peers to empower themselves with education, awareness, and steadfast humanity during this time. We mourn the unnecessary loss of life and we reject the notion that one death toll holds greater weight than another,” the Instagram posting read.
The women’s group now organizing during this difficult time is open to those interested in joining to provide grief support and in seeking politician support for a peaceful end because of the conflict. Contact Brittany at brittany@alum.mit.edu for more information.
