“We’re right here to cease the genocide”: a thousand demonstrators gathered in Lille to help Palestine

Tons of of individuals marched within the streets of Lille this previous Saturday June 8, 2024 to demand a ceasefire within the Gaza Strip.

A couple of thousand folks gathered final Saturday, June 8 on the Place de la République in Lille, in help of Palestine. An illustration, organized on the initiative of the AFPS (French Palestinian Solidarity Affiliation), to cease the genocide of the Palestinian folks.

“The kids of Gaza, the kids of Palestine, it’s humanity that’s being murdered”, asserting the group speeding into rue Nicolas Leblanc. “Cease the killings in Palestine! Cease fireplace!” we learn, on the head of the procession, on a big purple banner embellished with an olive department.

Chakib, in his forties, a pc engineer, got here together with his younger daughter. Nearly each week, he participates in rallies organized on Saturday afternoons to help the Palestinian folks. “We’re right here to ask for a ceasefire, an finish to the homicide, the genocide”, explains the 35-year-old father, the Palestinian flag on his shoulders.

Learn additionally >>> 100 folks gathered in Amiens to demand a ceasefire in Gaza: “It’s horrible what is occurring”

On the finish of January, the Worldwide Court docket of Justice (ICJ) issued a call recognizing “the believable menace of genocide of the Palestinian inhabitants in Gaza“. From October 7, “36,479 persons are believed to have been killed, together with over 14,100 youngsters and 9,000 girls”, in response to the newest estimates from UNICEF on their web site. “Within the Gaza Strip, displaced households endure absolute poverty. No water, no meals, no drugs: the dwelling situations are indescribable”, additionally specifying the NGO.

I mentioned to myself: ‘I’ve to do one thing, I’ve to cease being at dwelling and dwelling with out assist’.

Chakib, a pc engineer

On social networks, for a number of months, many individuals are sharing surprising pictures and movies. Thus it’s potential to get an exquisite overview of on a regular basis life Gaza and the dimensions of the bloodbath. That is precisely what made Chakib transfer.

“I’m in a community the place I usually see movies that contact me”, he specifies. “From January or February, I mentioned to myself: ‘I’ve to do one thing, I’ve to cease being at dwelling and dwelling with out assist“,” he says. “So I come to the demonstrations to help the Palestinian folks towards the tragedy through which they stay.”

Whether or not journalists, humanitarian staff or civilians, photographs present the victims and the fabric harm attributable to the horns. On June 6, 2024, for instance, a college of the UN company for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) was destroyed by the Israeli military. The assault left at the least 37 lifeless, in response to a Gazan hospital.

Noa, 18, a primary yr historical past scholar, additionally takes half each week within the gatherings that happen at Place de la République. “It is very important be right here to indicate that the motion just isn’t weakening and that the folks don’t agree with what is occurring”, he explains. “We now have seen this lately, with the spectacular actions in america and France, particularly from college students… Even right here at ESJ or Lille 2.“

Learn additionally >>> Struggle in Gaza and blockade of journalism college: for these college students, the media’s therapy of the “ongoing genocide” is lower than par.

The younger man specifies: “Regardless of what we hear, we clearly deny the atrocities that befell on October 7.” That day, 1,170 folks died in a Hamas assault on Israel, seen as the reason for the continued warfare. “It was a horrible and dramatic occasion. However this shouldn’t be used as an excuse to commit genocide towards the Palestinian folks.“, mentioned Noa.

The escalation of violence and horrors brought on on October 7 after this Hamas assault, nonetheless, is because of the greater than 76-year battle between Israel and Palestine. Malbrouck, 58 years previous, an insurance coverage dealer, likes to say: “I’m a citizen who has come to help the Palestinian individuals who have been murdered for over 70 years.“

It’s obscure that our nation helps the Zionist entity and doesn’t acknowledge the Palestinian state.

Malbrouck, 58 years previous, insurance coverage dealer

Palestinian keffiyeh on his shoulders, Malbrouck is annoyed by the federal government’s inaction: “En as French residents, oproblem understanding how our nation helps the horror, the abomination, the ignorance… Struggle criminals who homicide folks in entrance of the cameras of the entire world!”