Pro-Palestinian Supporters Travel from Tampa to Washington, D.C. for “Ceasefire Now” National March
Pro-Palestinian Activists from Tampa Travel to Washington, D.C. to Protest U.S. Support for Israel
Leen Matahen, a resident of Tampa, faced a difficult decision on Friday as she prepared for a 16-hour bus ride to Washington, D.C. Ultimately, she packed just two sets of clothing and her phone, choosing to travel light for the journey ahead. The purpose of her trip? To join a national march calling for an end to the war in Gaza, which erupted following a deadly attack by Hamas militants on Israel on Oct. 7.
Matahen, along with around 200 others, gathered outside the Islamic Community of Tampa building in Temple Terrace to board buses bound for the nation’s capital. The group will join demonstrators from across the country at the “Ceasefire Now” rally organized by American Muslims For Palestine. The event, set to take place at the Washington Monument, will feature a four-hour rally and march on Saturday afternoon.
“I feel like what we’re going to do is a very small effort for what people are doing and what people are experiencing,” Matahen expressed. “It’s the bare minimum that I can do. I wish I could do more to stop all of this.”
The conflict in Gaza has deeply affected the Muslim community in the U.S., with concerns about potential hate crimes rising. Fawzi Elmohd, a pro-Palestinian activist from Tampa, emphasized the importance of their continued presence in Washington during times of crisis.
“Every time Gaza gets bombarded, we’re there,” Elmohd stated. “We’re in the buses and we’re going to D.C.”
Organizers of the trip raised $20,000 to rent five buses, demonstrating the community’s commitment to advocating for peace in the region. The ongoing conflict has resulted in thousands of casualties on both sides, prompting calls for immediate action to end the violence.
President Joe Biden recently pledged $100 million in humanitarian aid to Gaza and the West Bank, while Governor Ron DeSantis announced plans to pass sanctions against Iran, a key supporter of Hamas. The activists from Tampa hope to amplify their voices in Washington and urge the U.S. government to reconsider its support for Israel in light of the ongoing crisis.
As the buses departed for Washington, Rocio Flanagan, a 20-year-old student, reflected on the importance of solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
“People all around the world need to stand up and join Palestinians in their fight because if Palestinians aren’t free, no one is free,” Flanagan remarked.
Isra Nassar, another participant in the trip, highlighted the significance of community support in times of adversity.
“I think it is like a support system,” Nassar said. “Like an emotional, mental support system.”
The journey to Washington represents a united front against violence and a plea for peace in the Middle East. As the activists from Tampa join forces with others in the nation’s capital, their message is clear: the time for change is now.