Demonstrators Rally In Loop Over Gaza Bombing

By aaroncynic in News on Nov 20, 2012 2:30PM

Aaron Cynic/Chicagoist

Aaron Cynic/Chicagoist

Aaron Cynic/Chicagoist

Aaron Cynic/Chicagoist

Aaron Cynic/Chicagoist

Aaron Cynic/Chicagoist

Aaron Cynic/Chicagoist

Aaron Cynic/Chicagoist

Over 1,000 demonstrators rallied and marched through the Loop Monday night to protest the escalation of the conflict in Gaza. For six days, Israel has conducted an air offensive that has killed scores of civilians as a response to Hamas rocket fire into Israel. ABC7 reports the bombing campaign, which intensified over the weekend, killed at least 24 civilians in two days. Missiles also struck a high rise in Gaza which contained both local and foreign news outlets.

Protesters from several different groups marched through the Loop for more than an hour, then rallied in Federal Plaza where various people spoke out against the escalation of the conflict. “...We need to work against the normalization of such a lifestyle for the people of Palestine, said one woman from Gaza. “It is not normal for families to anticipate losing loved every few years when Israel decides to begin another bombing campaign.” “As a human being, as a Jew and as a Rabbi, I am exactly where I need to be now,” said Brant Rosen, of Jewish Voice for Peace.

Today Pro-Israel groups plan to demonstrate at the Thompson Center at noon. Aaron Cohen, spokesperson for the Jewish Federation told Fox Chicago last night "I think if you drill down, the Israeli version of what peace looks like is a secure Israel living side by side with its neighbors. If you really drill down on the other side, what Hamas wants is the conquest and the destruction of Israel."