Humboldt community rallies for ceasefire in Palestine
On Nov. 8 about 20 community members chanted “Huffman, Huffman you can’t hide; you’re supporting genocide!” outside Congressman Jared Huffman’s district office in Eureka before heading to the Humboldt County Superior Court just a few blocks away.
“On the other side of the Gaza border, hundreds if not thousands of innocent Palestinians’ lives will be lost as Israel strikes back at Hamas. While I urge Israel to do everything possible to avoid and minimize the loss of innocent Palestinian lives, there will surely be collateral damage,” Huffman said in his statement released on Oct. 9.
The rally, organized by Cal Poly Humboldt social work major, Athena Berdis, gathered to protest a statement Huffman made in support of Israel and to demand a ceasefire between Israel and Palestine.
“I was really angry about the statement he made and I wanted to do something about that,” Berdis said.
The United Nations Relief and Work Agency (UNRWA) provides updates on their website about the conflict. As of Nov. 15 they reported 11,078 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip, two thirds of them are reportedly children and women.
The UNRWA update says 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed in Israel.
“What I hope to achieve with this demonstration is people’s recognition and acknowledgement of what’s happening in Palestine and a ceasefire resolution backed by Jared Huffman,” Berdis said. “It’s important that a ceasefire is passed because we need to save more lives.”
Lawrence Dahms, a film major at Cal Poly Humboldt said that he felt it was important to come and show solidarity for Palestinians.
“Palestine is struggling but there are people in Humboldt County who are against that, and if we come together we can make sure our voices are heard,” Dahms said.
Organizers of Humboldt for Palestine plan to hold Eureka Courthouse rallies advocating for a ceasefire in Palestine will take place every Friday from 3 – 5 p.m.
