‘Cease fire now’: Pittsburgh locals gather for global solidarity vigil in support of Palestine

“Free Palestine!” and “Cease fire now!” chants could be heard in Pittsburgh’s Friendship Park on Saturday as about 100 people gathered for a solidarity vigil in support of Palestine.

Hosted by two groups — Jewish Voice for Peace Pittsburgh and Students for Justice in Palestine at the University of Pittsburgh — the crowd stood in a circle to listen to speakers.

Leora Rosner, a local leader for Jewish Voice for Peace Pittsburgh, said the gathering’s intentions were to acknowledge “immense loss” and grieve together in solidarity with innocent victims in Gaza of the Israeli-Hamas war.

“This vigil is one of many taking place in over 20 cities, from Jerusalem to Pittsburgh, as part of a global coordinated action to show support for our Palestinian friends, families, partners and comrades,” said Rosner, 28, of Pittsburgh.

There have been over 20,000 Gazans killed, according to officials in the territory, which is the heaviest Arab loss since the 1982 Lebanon invasion, as reported by the New York Times.

“All life is precious, Rosner said. “We demand an end to the occupation and the siege; we demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire in pursuit of collective liberation — for all Palestinians, Jews and people everywhere.”

As a Jewish activist involved in work against the occupation, Rosner said she recently spent some time in Jerusalem working with Palestine solidarity projects.

Those who gathered held candles and displayed handmade poppy flowers, along with photos of those whose lives have been lost. Rosner said red poppies are the flower of Palestine, and the color is representative of those who have lost their lives to the occupation.

Poetry by four Palestinian writers was read for the crowd, three of whom were killed by recent airstrikes.

Pitt student Elyanna Sharbaji read the poem “Under Siege” by Mahamoud Darwish, who is known as Palestine’s national poet. She read the poem in English and then again in Arabic.

The other three selections included “I Grant You Refuge” by Heba Abu Nada, a poem by Khalil Abu Yahia, and “If I Must Die” by Rafaat Alareer.

Sharbaji, 25, of Pittsburgh is a senior studying psychology and political science, and she’s also vice president of Students for Justice in Palestine. She joined the organization because, as a Syrian-born American who grew up learning about the situation in Palestine, she felt the need to speak out about what’s happening.

Judy Kanafani, co-president of Students for Justice in Palestine, said she had a similar experience as a Palestinian learning about the situation. She’s a Pitt sophomore studying rehab science.

“I’ve had family members who were sadly affected — directly affected — by the genocide in Palestine and the war,” said Kanafani, 20, of Pittsburgh.

She said it was “touching” to look around and see so many people from different cultures attend the vigil, especially during winter break.

“We’re all one in this situation,” Kanafani said. “Not only are there Arabs and Muslims, but … there’s people of all different cultures all coming together and helping to support the cause.”

Sharbaji said it was especially important to have the vigil during Christmastime, as it sends a message that Christmas in Palestine has been “canceled” due to the current state.

She urged Pittsburghers to call their U.S. representatives and senators to demand a ceasefire.

“I really loved how everyone came up together for Palestine, even though it’s cold,” Sharbaji said. “It’s always good to see the community coming up and gathering together — it just makes it inspiring.”