A Silent Vigil for Gaza: Honoring Lives Lost in the Israel-Hamas War
On October 8, a poignant gathering unfolded at Anniversary Plaza, where students and faculty came together in a silent vigil to honor the over 40,000 Gazans who have lost their lives in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The atmosphere was heavy with grief and solidarity as attendees laid out symbolic representations of the deceased: a red-splattered Hello Kitty plushie, a soccer ball, and a pair of children’s sneakers were placed among fake bodies wrapped in stained white cloth. This stark imagery served as a haunting reminder of the innocent lives lost amidst the chaos of war.
Personal Stories of Loss
The vigil was marked by powerful testimonies from those directly affected by the violence. One student speaker shared a heart-wrenching account of receiving a call from her mother last November, revealing that her baby cousin, along with his entire family, had been killed in an airstrike. “Dozens of students at this University are going through the same thing that I am,” she said, emphasizing the shared pain and the urgency of their cause. “This is why we will continue to protest against the University’s complicity in these murders.” Her words resonated deeply, highlighting the personal toll of the conflict and the collective grief experienced by many in the community.
A Day of Remembrance
Just a day prior to the vigil, Jewish organizations on campus held their own memorial for the victims of the October 7 attack on Israel, which resulted in nearly 1,200 Israeli deaths and around 250 hostages taken by Hamas. This tragic event marked the beginning of a war that has since spiraled into a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with countless lives affected on both sides. The juxtaposition of these two events—the vigil for Gazans and the memorial for Israelis—underscored the complex and painful realities of the ongoing conflict.
Honoring the Deceased
Maryam Kashani, a speaker from Faculty for Justice in Palestine, recited only two out of the 800 pages of names of those who have died, a stark reminder of the overwhelming loss. As students prayed the Isha Sala and other Islamic prayers, the vigil transformed into a space of reflection and remembrance, honoring the lives that have been tragically cut short.
A Coalition of Voices
The vigil was organized by the student-led nonprofit Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF), with participation from various organizations, including the Black Students for Revolution, Champaign-Urbana Muslim Action Committee, UC Jews for Ceasefire, Lebanese Student Association, Students for Justice in Palestine, and Faculty for Justice in Palestine. Each group brought their unique perspectives and calls to action, united in their demand for justice and peace.
Calls for Action
In a powerful address, a representative from UC Jews for Ceasefire urged attendees to take action, stating, “In this moment of reckoning, I’m afraid the time for reflection alone has passed; it is time to act.” They called for the divestment of the University’s $27 million in assets linked to the conflict, emphasizing the need for tangible steps towards justice. “Let us show through our actions that never again means never again for anyone,” they declared, highlighting the universal nature of the call for peace.
Historical Context of the Conflict
Professor Junaid Rana of Faculty for Justice in Palestine provided historical context to the ongoing conflict, tracing its roots back to the U.N. resolution passed 77 years ago that aimed to partition Palestine. He noted that the rejection of this resolution by the Arab Higher Committee led to violent responses from Jewish militias, culminating in the 1948 Palestinian war and the subsequent displacement of over half of the Palestinian population. “It is an 80-year-old issue,” Rana remarked, “and in those 80 years, the conflict has seen different ideas of what land belongs to which nation. I don’t think there’s any justification for the killing of civilians. It’s as simple as that.”
A Hope for Unity and Understanding
The executive board of PCRF expressed gratitude for the diverse turnout at the vigil, noting the importance of unity in the face of such tragedy. “We’re making sure that people don’t forget about who these people are, and to reignite and say, ‘Hey, this is still ongoing; this should not be happening,’” said an anonymous member of PCRF. Their commitment to raising awareness and advocating for peace remains steadfast, with plans for more educational events throughout the school year, including a fundraising gala in February.
Continuing the Fight for Justice
The anonymous member of PCRF concluded with a resolute message: “(Our work) is far from over, and we still have to rebuild Gaza. We’re just going to keep doing the same events that we do to educate people about Palestine.” This determination reflects the ongoing struggle for justice and the hope that, through collective action and awareness, a path toward peace can be forged.