Hundreds protest Israel-Hamas war at pro-Palestinian rally in Providence

PROVIDENCE – Chants rose up on city streets Saturday afternoon as hundreds of people – young, old and even children – came together to call for an end to the Israel-Hamas conflict and a stop to the United States arming Israel.
“Vice President Harris, you’re a liar. The people want a ceasefire. No more money for Israel’s crime. Down with U.S. imperialism. Brick by brick, wall by wall Israel will fall,” the crowd cried out, many carrying signs showing support for the establishment of a Palestinian state amid the widening war in the Middle East.
“It’s appalling what’s happening over there. America has been betrayed. Humanity has been betrayed,” said Christopher Freed, who happened upon the rally while riding his bike.
Freed said he has emailed President Joe Biden about his opposition to America’s role in supporting Israel as it bombs Gaza and, more recently, Lebanon.
“It’s a colonial, racist war,” Freed said.
The group gathered on the State House lawn before taking their message to the streets as a sizable police presence stood watch to keep peace and block off traffic. Speakers addressed the crowd, some in Arabic, and led chants with megaphones. 
More:One year later, RI’s Jewish community plans remembrance for Oct. 7 attacks
The pro-Palestinian rally, followed by a vigil, marked an international day of resistance capping “a week of resistance against genocide” that has featured art, poetry, a press conference and more.
A handful of people came out to counterprotest, and at one point, police officers briefly stopped a pro-Palestinian marcher after he grabbed an Israeli flag.
“We are here to support Israel, and we don’t like anti-Israel events,” counterprotester Ron Katz said of the Oct. 7 massacre in which Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis and kidnapped hundreds, some of whom remain in captivity.
“We have to kill the enemy. We have to kill the terrorists. We have to kill the Hamas,” Katz said. “Hamas could end this. All they have to do is surrender. They don’t care how many of their own Gazans die, and their goal is to kill all Israelis.”
The counterprotesters, who identified themselves as the Rhode Island Coalition for Israel, approached the crowd during the rally, shouting as speakers gave addresses. In addition to flags, they carried signs calling for Hamas to be destroyed and opposing a ceasefire.
Ellie Wyatt said she had a childhood friend who was driven from his home in Lebanon.
“I’ve always understood that it was a very unjust situation,” Wyatt said.
A retired teacher, Wyatt said she is haunted by the images of children being killed and injured by Israeli bombs.
“It makes me sick,” she said.
Hundreds of Brown University students attended the rally, some pounding buckets amid cries of “shame.” A handful of students from the university’s Warren Alpert School of Medicine also made their way to the State House, wearing their medical jackets.
More:In new book, Mark Patinkin looks at Israel-Hamas war through the eyes of everyday people
Many people carried signs, including one that read, “your silence will be studied by your grandkids.” Others said, “Free all Palestinian political prisoners,” “End the occupation now” and “Jews say stop the genocide now.”
Organizers of the Rhode Island action included the Palestinian Feminist Collective; Falasteen Diaspora United; the Party for Socialism and Liberation; Brown Students for Justice in Palestine; Rhode Island College Students for Justice in Palestine; Doctors Against Genocide; Jewish Voice for Peace; and the Palestine Solidarity Caucus of the Graduate Labor Organization.  One organizer called it a true Rhode Island-wide community effort, drawing from people across many different communities, sectors and organizations.