Thousands of demonstrators rallied in downtown Houston Saturday in support of the Palestinians and against the intensifying Israeli siege of Gaza.
The demonstrators gathered outside Houston City Hall, angered by the Israeli airstrikes on Gaza that began after Hamas launched an unprecedented surprise attack on Israel last Saturday.
Demonstrators waved Palestinian flags and held signs that read “Save Palestine,” “No more tax dollars to Israel,” and “Resistance is not terrorism,” among other messages.
Since the terror attacks started, William White, the director for Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), said there have been an increase of islamophobia in the Houston-area.
“I can tell you that CAIR Houston office has received a number of hate calls. While we don’t have a direct threat to our community,” said White. “Things that are dehumanizing to the Palestinian people. Things that are dehumanizing to Arabs, Muslims. Calling what Palestinians and Arabs are as animals and beastly people. None of that is acceptable.”
See scenes from the protest in the video player below.
Here’s what’s happening on Day 8 of the latest Israel-Hamas conflict.