University of Washington students protest in support of Palestinian resistance
Seattle, WA – On October 12, several hundred people gathered on the University of Washington’s campus to hear speeches in solidarity with the ongoing Palestinian struggle for self-determination and the right to return.
The rally, called by Students United for Palestinian Equity and Return at UW (SUPER UW) was a moving display of solidarity with the Palestinian people. The past week saw a remarkable turning of the tides as the Palestinian resistance managed to deal a huge blow to the Israeli apartheid state. The coordinated Palestinian military response known as Operation Al Aqsa flood took the world by surprise.
“Last week was the first time that Gazans have actually been able to see the rest of their Palestinian land,” said Bissan Barghouti, a Palestinian organizer with Samidoun Seattle. “They broke out of a prison that has been imposed on them by a 16-year air, sea and land blockade by the Israeli military.”
Speakers at the rally firmly upheld the right of the Palestinian people to resist and defend themselves against decades of occupation and apartheid. Students also criticized university President Ana Mari Cauce for her pro-Israel statement to the UW community.
Members of SUPER UW and other endorsing organizations faced condemnation from the UW for their solidarity with Palestinian resistance in the leadup to the even. Zionists also attempted to intimidate protesters out of standing up for what is morally right.
In spite of this repression and intimidation, the event drew hundreds of protesters, filling the University’s red square and holding Palestinian flags. The rally began at noon, and chants of “Free, free Palestine!” and “Long live the intifada!” could be heard across campus as the event kicked off.
“For over 75 years, Palestinians have resisted Zionist colonization and occupation, and this moment is absolutely no different,” Barghouti declared in a powerful speech. “Palestinians have the right to fight for their freedom!”
“Zionists, and the U.S. government, want to distract us by handwringing over ‘violence’. Let’s be real, they have no issue with it. Their problem with violence arises when they aren’t the ones suppressing the people. But we know when you are occupied, when your land has been stolen, when your family is under the threat of bombings, resistance is justified,” said George Consuelo, a member of UW Progressive Students Union.
Consuelo called on students to take action, “We have a responsibility to stand up against this. This is our government sending Israel aid. This is our government complicit in Israel’s attack on Gaza, its attack on Palestine.”
SUPER UW calls on all progressive and popular forces to unite against Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza and its imperialist backers in the US. Organizers plan to continue holding demonstrations in the coming days and weeks.