Thousand marched down Queens Boulevard in Sunnyside Saturday in a display of solidarity for Palestinians (Photo: Christina Santucci)
May 23, 2021 By Christina Santucci
Thousands of people marched through the streets of Queens from Sunnyside to Astoria Saturday afternoon in support of Palestinians.
Within Our Lifetime – a Palestinian-led community organization that also held a large rally in Bay Ridge last week – organized the event, which began at Queens Boulevard and 46th Street.
Saturday’s march came just days after Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire that ended more than 10 days of violence and bloodshed in the decades-long conflict. More than 230 Palestinians — including over 60 children — have been killed in Israeli airstrikes and 12 Israelis died in rocket attacks launched by Hamas, the New York Times reported.
In Queens, demonstrators initially gathered underneath the No. 7 train station at 46th Street – just steps from the Sunnyside Arch. Many wore keffiyehs – black and white checkered scarves –that symbolize Palestinian nationalism.
Thousands participated in a rally in Sunnyside Saturday in a display of solidarity for the Palestinians pic.twitter.com/xAomcZZrtQ
— QueensPost (@queenspost) May 23, 2021
Following a prayer for Muslim attendees, organizers led more than a dozen of chant. “Not another nickel, not another dime, no more money for Israel’s crimes,” one rally leader bellowed into a loudspeaker, as attendees repeated. Other chants included ‘Hey, Hey, Ho, Ho, Zionism has got to go’ and ‘Resistance is justified when people are colonized.’
Supporters flocked to the event from Queens and beyond – with many like Brooklyn resident Farhana Akther saying that they chose to attend to show solidarity with Palestinians.
Many were from the world’s borough.
“We love them and support them,” said Jamaica resident Kazi Fuzie. “We want to ask the government to stop spending our tax dollars to fund Israel.” She called on federal officials to redirect funding to domestic issues like education and housing.
Attendees also included members of Neturei Karta, a group of Orthodox Jewish people who opposed the State of Israel, as well as representatives from the December 12th Movement, a Black human rights organization based in New York City.
Demonstrators carried Palestinian flags and signs with a variety of messages – such as “From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be Free,” “No Peace on Stolen Land,” and “Never Again Means Freedom for All – Jews for Palestine.”
Demonstrators carried Palestinian flags and signs with a variety of messages – such as “From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be Free,” “No Peace on Stolen Land,” and “Never Again Means Freedom for All – Jews for Palestine.” (Photo: Queens Post)
Some carried the flags of Morocco, Bangladesh, Algeria, Turkey and Iraq, and others shared messages of support from other countries – such as one woman who held a “Bosnians for Palestine” sign and another attendee who carried a poster that read, “Afghans 4 Palestine.”
A handful of supporters addressed the crowd before the group began its march. Two related the situation in Palestine with that in Colombia, where at least 42 people have been killed in recent weeks during anti-government protests.
“So we have to be connecting with each other’s struggles – right here in the belly of the beast,” said Yhamir Chabur. “Colombia’s liberation is connected with Palestine’s liberation.”
Demonstrators also likened support for Palestine to that for Black Lives Matter and indigenous peoples.
Once the march began, a UHaul pickup truck led the way as several organizers stood atop the vehicle and waved Palestinian flags. Participants first proceeded west on Queens Boulevard then headed north on 39th Street into Astoria. Passing cars that honked in support were met with rounds of cheers.
A UHaul pickup truck led the way as several organizers stood atop the vehicle and waved Palestinian flags (Photo: Christina Santucci)
One attendee said she had expected that the Queens event would be smaller than others held in Brooklyn. “The turnout is actually impressive,” she said.
The event also drew several Sunnyside City Council candidates – including Steven Raga, Amit Bagga and Badrun Khan – who are running to replace Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer. Bagga posted a photo to his Instagram with Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani.
Khan recalled a prior rally for Palestine held in Jackson Heights in 2014, and said Saturday’s event drew a significantly larger crowd. ‘This has been a big accomplishment,” she said.
The Sunnyside march was one of more than 90 events across the United States planned for this weekend. Demonstrators are expected to gather again in Queens – in Astoria Park – on Sunday, May 30 at 4 p.m.
Thousand marched down Queens Boulevard in Sunnyside Saturday in a display of solidarity for Palestinians (Photo: Christina Santucci)
Rally goers met up at 46th Street and Queens Boulevard before marching to Astoria (Photo: Queens Post)
Rally goers in Sunnyside Saturday (Queens Post)
Rally goers in Sunnyside Saturday (Queens Post)
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51 Comments
this was a wonderful demonstration. I am so sorry I wasn’t able to attend. There is another today, June 13. Also not able to go. I am 80 years old and have some health issues.
Get an education! Hamas hides weapons in schools and hospitals and seeks to kill ALL JEWS. You are very misinformed. And yeah, I’m sure you would not have assaulted a pro Israel speaker at your “rally”. Shalom, baby
Whichever lady commented this wakes up in the morning and turns on Fox News
Disgusting display of hate
Peace out is stating verifiable historical facts. Educate yourself.
So many racist Pucks here. and if they wanted to say something they could have said something at the rally, You guys are just a bunch of cowards hiding behind your computer and phones. How can you support Israel while they murder children and women. Have you seen the comparison on causality and deaths? I am not from Palestine, nor from Colombia, however you do not have to be from there to see the messed up shiitttt they are facing. This rally was not Anti-Jewish. This Rally was Anti-genocide
Yes the people who want Israel destroyed are racists engaging in the worlds oldest hate
Glad you admit it
Would love to see you allow pro Israel speakers at your next hate fest
Will you guaranty their safety ?
We know how you accept diversity of religion and thought
palestinians were celebrating when 9/11 happened as was showing on video in the news. thats why. we will NEVER forget!
This neighborhood is finished. Hating on the Jews and lying about the history of the region if so “chic”. Our elected officials are SILENT while Jews are harassed. If you support Hamas, you are the problem; you are the hate.
Yes to Stop The Garbage letter. How about some of the politicians of color repudiating the anti-Semitic violence.
Video of the marchers posted by users on their own social media accounts give a much different perspective of what was really taking place. Its something one can see for themselves by comparing media clips to clips uploaded by the public via attendees and bystanders.
you mean the media lies? nah, cant be!
This should never happen oven with democracy Muslim nor Jews should protest on the streets and disturb the peace in meddle of Neighborhood that has nothing to do with it ,at the same time create the heat and the hate.Both side as the countries should immediately stop war with killing each other and work on the peace. This is is the shame to see on the streets.
Welcome to the big democracy???
Nice Nuremberg rally
Disgusting hate
It’s called Israel get used to it
If the people purportedly representing Pakistan and Lebanon and Colombia stand with Palestine, then THAT is where they should be, not in the United States.
Queens is finished. Terrorist sympathizers marching in the streets.
Quite an unattractive group of terror supporters. Our neighborhood is finished. First the BLM marches and now this garbage.
It is so great to see people in our beautiful borough stand up against injustice against an apartheid system in occupied Palestine.
Thank you all of u for the support and unity. May Allah guide all of us…
Ameen
Hey Fatima:
The day that Allah guides us will be the day I leave this country!
Not everyone believes in your god.
thank you SSP for reporting on the thousands that were there in support of Palestine.
The movement must continue until there is a lasting solution in Palestine!!
Justice for Palestine!!
Awesome! so much solidarity and support for Palestine….lots of love people ??❤️ Was so nice to see so many neighbors and friends! See you at the next one.
If You don’t Speak up, You’re part of the Problem, No more silence!!
here’s me speaking up…its not my problem.
Thank you for standing on the side of justice and not being silent ❤️
FREE PALESTINE!
Well done Sunnyside ?? every voice counts.
God bless Israel!
Thanks Alona. Print this for the World’s Borough Mr. Murray.
Wow! The descendants of Hitler’s Youth hating on the Jews! They even have a “uniform” albeit a drab one. They have to work on their chants. Interesting how the Far Left has allied with the radical Islamists. Of course, they have no knowledge of the history of the region. I am genuinely embarrassed by my neighborhood and by Amit whatshisname, the Kahn woman and any politician craven enough to have joined in this hateful display.
Glad the next one is taking place in Astoria where Yang was rebuked by Astoria Residents and AOC for his Pro-Israel tweet. Our districts our Pro Palestinian and Arab.
Not a lot of social distancing happening here. I hope most attendees were vaccinated.
Nice Nuremberg rally
I no longer feel safe here thanks to idiot anti semites with no knowledge of history
Hopefully the one scheduled in Astoria Park – on Sunday, May 30 at 4 p.m. will also be a success and will attract an even bigger crowd. It will be Memorial day weekend and more people will have off from work. Thank you to all the candidates and people that attended to support the liberation of ??.
It is free: it is called ISRAEL. And it is not going anywhere despite your hate and your stupid signs.
Praying for Israel.
Did JVB attend?
did these peace loving people beat up any more jewish people today like they did over in the Diamond District!
For those who are upset over this march, radicals running this town and defunding the police… that’s why we are losing everywhere. People got organized, they left to protest, they raised money and they’ll be the ones electing the next looney toons to city council/Albany/US house of representatives. However wrong or misguided they are, they are ACTING and screaming louder than the next guy which gives them all the attention.
Next thing you know, it’s in the news and some apolitical housewife somewhere will see it and think, “jeeze, i’m pro-palestine now too since it’s all over the news and social media”.
Meanwhile those of us who disagree with lefties are sitting at home and complain to SP about our changing way of life. Well, raise your behinds and do something….
Shameful display of hate and lack of knowledge of history
Israel is the Jewish homeland
Get used to it haters
Now we know who the Jew haters are
Very nice
Congratulations. You’re all supporting terrorists.
Perhaps Hamas should stop firing rockets by the thousands, killing and terrorizing Israeli civilians.
Not a rhetorical question: What exactly did you expect the Israelis to do after all these rocket attacks? Send the Palestinians a bouquet of roses and a box of chocolates?
My family lived through the London Blitz in 1940 and the Nazi V-1 and V-2 rocket attacks. Germany eventually got blasted into a smoldering pile of rubble as a result.
Perhaps some of these marchers should read a history book. The Palestinians are lucky that Gaza hasn’t been turned into another Dresden.
The news segment i saw on tv said hundreds.
Speak out against hatred. Whether it’s against Black, Whites, Jews, Muslims, Hispanics , Asians etc. Sorry if I left your group out. All hatred based on race, religion is wrong.
???
Palestinians danced in the streets and cheered when 9/11 happened.
Yes, they did and they contributed the suicide bomber to civilization.
If they supported the USA during that time. Knew the answer to that question beforehand but it’s still proper to double check.