Thursday night, Kent State students gathered to honor the memory of the lives lost during the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which escalated on Oct. 7, 2023.
The event was hosted by Students for Justice in Palestine, but had support and speakers from many other organizations including Jewish Voices for Peace, the May 4 Task Force, KSU Eco-Justice Order, University of Akron’s Students for Justice in Palestine and the Palestine Solidarity Collective.
Attendees were given candles to hold while members of different organizations read out the over 100 names of those who died during attacks, including relatives of the speakers.
Junior political science major Katey Berry, president of Jewish Voices for Peace, was one of the speakers at the event. She said movements to make change hardly ever start with just one person.
“We have seen people of all faiths come together to support our brothers and sisters in Palestine, and more recently Lebanon,” Berry said. “It leads us to ask if one day we will have Palestinian remembrance day, and one day museums detailing the atrocities faced by Palestinians.”
Berry explained that in her faith, justice is an obligation, not just a recommendation, which is why the ongoing conflict has become so frustrating.
“How does one come to terms with this when the Israeli government has done the exact opposite?” she asked.
SJP President Yazun Issawi said that although the event was honoring those who have died, he wanted to make his speech about hope. He emphasized the need for change does not start with a country or a state, but with oneself.
“I’m saying this because all of us here are a part of the Kent State community,” he said.
Having these gatherings and sharing voices helps change the community for the better, he added, which in turn will help the community have a voice in changing the world.
After the speeches and a final prayer, the hosts offered attendees chalk to decorate Risman Plaza with peaceful messages.
Many used the chalk to draw watermelons, which are often used as a symbol of Palestinian resistance, and hopeful messages. One wrote, “None of us are free until all of us are free.”
Freshman biology student Kimara Abdurrahman went to support the event because of her family connection. She said that she heard some of her relative’s names when leaders of the event read off their lists.
“They wouldn’t want us to be silent,” Aburrahman said. “If I were born somewhere else, that could’ve been me.”
Senior history major Sophie Swengel, president of the May 4 Task Force, made chalk art in support of Palestine.
“It’s so important to facilitate peaceful places of expression. In true Kent State tradition: anything to fight for peace,” she said.
Ari Collins is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected]
