Thousands of protestors chanted, “We say justice, you say how? End the siege on Gaza now,” at a protest outside the Capitol on Sunday calling for an immediate ceasefire in Palestine, an end to the United States’ aid to Israel and an end to the siege on Gaza.
The protest drew over 15,000 attendees, said Victor Taylor, Texas Department of Safety Staff Sergeant. The Palestine Solidarity Committee, Palestine Youth Movement and Students for Justice in Palestine chapters across the state collaborated on what organizers believe is one of the largest protests for Palestine in Texas history.
“I have been organizing for Palestine for almost 10 years now,” a speaker said to the crowd during the march. “I have never seen anything like this in my life. You all give me hope.”
Protestors initially rallied on the northern side of the Capitol for speeches and chants. Many held Palestine flags or posters reading “Ceasefire Now,” “End the Genocide” and “Free Palestine.” Organizers unraveled a scroll listing the names of Palestinian children in Gaza killed by Israeli attacks since Oct. 7.
Protestors also expressed frustration with President Joe Biden and Gov. Greg Abbott’s support of Israel, at one point chanting “Abbott, Abbott, you can’t hide. We charge you with genocide.” Abbott flew to Israel earlier this month to show his support for the country.
“There’s absolutely no condition for Israel to receive over $298 million in Texas taxpayers’ money,” said Abdel Majid, the Austin Palestine Solidarity Committee outreach coordinator.
Corporate communications freshman Huda Mustafa said she attended pro-Palestine protests in Austin and Dallas in the past, but felt it was “so much more important” to show up at the statewide protest on Sunday.
“I think every opportunity we get to make our voice heard is so important,” Mustafa said. “We need to take full advantage of that because we’re essentially a voice for people who have no voice, who are being silenced.”
Many protestors came from other parts of Texas. Majid said local community groups organized 17 buses to Austin from across the state to help with transportation.
Zaineb Bani-Yassin, a neuroscience freshman at UT-San Antonio, also attended the protest with her family. Bani-Yassin said it felt good to show her 10-year-old siblings how to speak up for what’s right, and to share the moment with her 65-year-old father, who found it difficult to be out and walking on his own.
Economics sophomore Ameer Abu-Ziyadeh, who is Palestinian, said the turnout was greater than he expected, which he hopes will send a message to elected officials.
“I like seeing every type of face here, no matter the color,” Abu-Ziyadeh said. “Everyone’s here supporting just humanity and people’s lives. We’re not even talking about land or anything anymore. This is just brutal.”
