LOUISVILLE, Ky. — More than one hundred University of Louisville students, staff and community members marched across the main campus against the ongoing crisis in Gaza on the 76th anniversary of a catastrophic event: the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians called Nakba.
They joined those from other college campuses that have organized pro-Palestinian protests, hoping this would help end Israel's war in Gaza.
But the day is personal for many Palestinian students, especially those who have lost relatives recently.
"Since October of 2023 I have bared witness to a new type of grief as I have lost nearly 100 members in Gaza," said Leen Abozaid with Louisville for Palestine.
Students shared how their families are still displaced decades after Nakba as they continue to speak out against genocide.
"After all of this over 200,000 of my people have been slaughtered I know all too well what genocide is," a student with the Young Communist League of Louisville said. They did not want to give their name.
The speakers made their message loud and clear, chanting "free free Palestine, long live Palestine."
Community members like Metro Council District 6 candidate JP Lyninger also joined the non-violent protest.
"To demand that the University of Louisville divest from Israel, divest from supporting the financial power of Israel," Lyninger said.
Jenin B with the Louisville branch of Party for Socialism and Liberation echoed that same message. They did not want to give their full last name.
"We demand that the University of Louisville look at its Palestinian students and faculty population with the same care and concern," they said.
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