12 April 2024
Over 100 individuals gathered at Marquette University’s campus to plant flags honoring Palestinians who lost their lives in Gaza since October 7.
Marquette University students were greeted by a striking display of 41,000 flags – green, red, and white – each symbolizing a Palestinian life lost during Israel’s military actions beginning on October 8.
Students from Marquette University’s Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), the Muslim Student Association (MSA), and members of the Marquette and Greater Milwaukee communities participated in this flag-planting event on MU’s central mall.
Amani Dalieh, president of SJP, emphasized the impact of visual representation, hoping the display would make people more aware of the human toll in Gaza.
Anas Alzamli, a Palestinian American student, expressed gratitude for the diverse community that stood together to honor the innocent lives lost in Gaza.
According to University of Chicago political science professor Robert Pape, Israel’s response to the October 7 attack led to one of the most severe civilian punishment campaigns, resulting in a death toll of 41,000 Palestinians by April 3.
Official figures from Gaza’s Health Ministry report over 33,200 deaths and 76,000 injuries, with many individuals still unaccounted for due to challenging conditions.
Despite international calls for a ceasefire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to escalate military operations, particularly targeting Rafah, a city densely populated with displaced Palestinians.
Participants planted flags despite cold, wet weather to honor Palestinians who lost their lives since October 7.
The event was organized as part of “All Eyes on Gaza,” a week of activities by MU’s SJP to raise awareness about the crisis in Gaza.
Amani Dalieh, along with other students, set up the flag display on the mall, emphasizing the importance of remembering the lives lost in Palestine.
Students held a poetry reading and planned activities like making kites, visiting the flag display, rock piling, and letter writing to commemorate those affected by the conflict.
Participants shared personal stories and expressed frustration with the ongoing crisis, hoping to bring attention to the situation and influence policy changes.
Various community members, including non-Muslim and non-Arab individuals, showed solidarity and support for Palestinians affected by the conflict.
Participants demanded change, urging for an end to the violence and advocating for policy reforms to support the Palestinian cause.
