Several pro-Palestinian organizations will gather on Saturday for “One Year of Genocide, One Year of Resistance,” a rally being held ahead of the one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent Israel-Hamas war.
The event is set for 1 p.m. at the Myriad Gardens, 301 W Reno.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations-Oklahoma is among several groups hosting the gathering in conjunction with International Day of Action.
Adam Soltani, CAIR-OK’s executive director said Saturday’s rally is not being held to diminish the loss of life that occurred when Hamas attacked kibbutz communities and killed 1,200 people, while taking about 250 hostages back to the Gaza Strip, but it is in recognition of the loss of life of Palestinians in Gaza.
“We never diminish the loss of life at all, but I think what we’re seeing is the catastrophic loss of Palestinian life, land infrastructure, and now, in Lebanon and it looks like it could get even worse,” Soltani said. “I think people are just feeling everything from deeply saddened and hurt to enraged.”
Soltani said the Islamic faith, as well as the Muslim people, have always condemned acts of violence against innocent lives.
“However, while there will be mourning and reflections on the lives that were lost from the Jewish and Israeli community, there is also going to be great concern for the even greater loss of life in Gaza, now in the West Bank and in Lebanon,” he said.
“Thus, I can understand why people want to gather together to show their concerns to elected officials locally and nationally, that this violence and attempted genocide of the Palestinian people is continuing to go on.”
Soltani said people scheduled to speak at the coming gathering represent different segments of the community and not just Muslims, Arabs and Palestinians.
Other groups sponsoring the event include Oklahomans Against Occupation, Students for Justice in Palestine-University of Oklahoma, Democratic Socialists of America-Oklahoma City, Students for Justice in Palestine-Oklahoma State University and Law Students for a Free Palestine-University of Oklahoma.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Oklahoma City and Oklahoma Israel Exchange, along with other Jewish organizations, are hosting “A Memorial Evening to Honor the Oct. 7 Massacre: Honoring Resilience, Hope and Unity” on Tuesday at Oklahoma City Community College.