Colorado Springs, CO – On October 29 in below-freezing weather, nearly 100 people gathered outside the Colorado Springs City Hall to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian resistance against Zionist genocide.

Despite the cold, the rally lasted an hour and a half with a high level of crowd participation. An organizer asked for suggestions for chants, and the megaphone changed hands many times. The demonstration was organized by the Colorado Springs People’s Coalition (CSPC) and Brown Berets. It was the first solidarity action with Palestine led by the CSPC. Their speakers highlighted the connection between Palestinian and Chicano struggles, and chants of “Land back now!” echoed alongside “End the occupation!” or “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!” They reminded the crowd that all oppressed peoples share the same struggle.

People in cars passing by signaled their support, as many members held up flags or signs visible to the road.

Alex Khoury, a second generation Palestinian-American, described the conditions that Palestinians under occupation live in and condemned the U.S. for maintaining those conditions. A speaker from Denver’s Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), Hatem Teirelbar, emphasized support for the Palestinian resistance, in whatever form Palestinians choose. Several members of the crowd delivered impromptu speeches in which they condemned the U.S. government’s complicity in the genocide as well that of U.S. based corporations.

Demands made at the rally included an immediate end to Israel's siege on Gaza and an end to all aid to the Zionist occupation. Additionally, demonstrators demanded that U.S companies divest from any operations in occupied Palestine, and for consumers to boycott any company that operates there.

The demonstration was the first Palestine solidarity rally held in Colorado Springs this year and it will not be the last.

#ColoradoSpringsCO #Palestine