The sound of drums rang through the street as protestors chanted “Gaza” over and over again. The air was filled with passion, anger and a hope for change. 

On Sept. 23, seniors, parents and college students filled the streets of 46th and 2nd in Manhattan, New York, to protest the brutal and deadly war in Gaza. The protestors gathered outside of the UN summit in hopes that the UN would hear them and put an end to the war. The war had been going on for 717 days and caused “over two million Palestinians, half of whom are children, without access to sufficient water, food or medical care” and the death of “over 64,000 Palestinians” (www.rescue.org). 

One of the protestors, Courtney, who was not comfortable sharing her last name, was there with her son. She explained she was at the protest “to support the people of Palestine and recognize their humanity”. 

“It’s atrocious this is happening,” Courtney said. 

“[I’m] here to put an end to the genocide–it’s just absolutely disgusting,” another protestor, Annie Lamb said. She said the people of Gaza are enduring “horrible torture everyday that you couldn’t imagine.” 

The sound of drums grew louder as the crowd chanted about the kids dying in Gaza at that very moment. An abundance of police stood in front of the protestors and watched them fight for change.

While holding her flag, Anne Lamb stated, “Palestine will be free”.