LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Calls for a free Palestine came through a bullhorn as protestors gathered outside Grawemeyer Hall at the University of Louisville.
The organizer, who remained anonymous for fear of retribution, said their march doesn't support Hamas killing civilians.
"While Hamas may be an unjust organization, they are created through the apartheid regime that Israel and western supporters put in place," the organizer said.
Several times, organizers criticized western news coverage on Palestine over the years.
Walter Tillow, a Jewish-American, came to condemn Israel's policy.
"The Israelis have been occupying Palestinian land, been occupying Palestine, for 75 years. And they keep shrinking," Tillow said.
Hundreds have died on both sides since Hamas' deadly attack on civilians.
The United Nations recognizes the 1948 displacement of more than half of Palestinians. Protestors say this event, known as the Nakba, led to the moment of war we live in now.
With walls and military barriers, Palestine is currently cut off from humanitarian aid. The protest organizer likened it to "an open-air prison" blocked from "air, land, and sea."
Rami Badwan, and American-born Palestinian, regularly visits his home country during summer.
PHOTOS | Louisville student group protests Palestinian treatment as Israel fights Hamas
"There are tanks that go through my village," Badwan said. "They throw stink bombs in our houses to draw us out. Since we know the consequences of leaving our home we decide just to take in the pain of that and stay home for our own safety."
As the protest march made its way through campus, they called for the wall around Palestine to be torn down and accused Israel of genocide. Although they disagree with Hamas' actions, one of the chants said "resistance is justified when people are occupied."
In statements, the Louisville Jewish Federation and the Kentucky-Israel Caucus both denounced the student-organized protest at the university.
"While all Americans have the right to assemble and exercise free speech, a public university supported by Kentucky taxpayer funds cannot condone a rally openly celebrating such acts of genocide that could potentially stoke violence against its own students," the Kentucky-Israel Caucus wrote.
UofL President Kim Schatzel responded, saying they could not censure the rally and "restrictions on such speech -- no matter how offensive the content -- would constitute a violation of the First Amendment to the Constitution that protects free speech."
She went on to condemn the attack on Israel by Hamas, calling it a tragic loss of life.
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