Approximately 200 students walked out of school Tuesday morning to protest at Seattle’s Cal Anderson Park supporting Palestinian people on the second anniversary of the Israel-Hamas war’s start, carrying signs, banners, and Palestinian flags as they marched west, eventually crossing Denny Way.
Students blocked traffic on the Denny bridge over I-5, chanting “Free, free Palestine!” The protest was organized by Seattle Revolutionary Youth, a student group involving high school students from across Seattle and surrounding areas including Issaquah and Renton. Organizers said the march included college students from Bellevue to Bellingham to Vancouver.
“We the people of America need to recognize the injustices and stand up for what is right,” Cora Telzrow, a Lincoln High School junior, shouted. “Please stand with Palestine. All eyes on Gaza!”
Some flyer and Instagram post language promoted the event as celebrating the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel, using phrases like “long live Oct. 7.” A banner at the march’s front read “Power grows from the barrel of a gun” and “long live operation Al-Aqsa Flood,” referencing the Hamas military operation name.
The march fell on the two-year anniversary of attacks when thousands of Hamas-led militants entered southern Israel after a surprise rocket barrage, killing an estimated 1,200 people, most civilians. They abducted 251 others, most since released in ceasefires or negotiations. Hamas has said it will release remaining hostages only in exchange for lasting ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal.
For many in the Jewish community, the anniversary was a mourning day, coinciding with the Jewish holiday Sukkot. Among Israeli remembrances, people gathered at the Nova music festival site and played the track that played when the attack began, stopping for silence.
“As we commemorate the second anniversary of October 7, we remember the lives lost and honor the incredible strength and resilience of the Israeli people,” the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle posted Monday on Facebook. “From tragedy comes resilience. From darkness comes light.”
At the Seattle protest, Telzrow noted she didn’t agree with all fellow protester messaging and actions while advocating for Palestinian liberation. “I believe that a ceasefire should be made and upheld, and that you truly cannot fight fire with fire,” said Telzrow, who is not a Seattle Revolutionary Youth member. “While all individuals (today) were advocating for Palestine, we weren’t all advocating for the same means of coming to peace.”
“It is very empowering to see groups of teenagers come together to support a cause as important as this one,” Telzrow added. “Even though there is violence on both ends of the scale, it is a severe power imbalance, Israel has done much more to Palestine. It’s not a war. It really isn’t, it’s a genocide.”
A United Nations commission concluded in September that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza Strip in the nation’s response to Hamas attacks. The ensuing war has killed at least 67,160 Palestinians and wounded nearly 170,000, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. According to The Associated Press, 1 out of every 10 Gaza people has been killed or injured by Israeli strikes in the past two years.
Many protest students declined sharing names fearing retaliation or internet bullying. One noted disappointment comparing Tuesday’s turnout to last month’s walkout protesting Seattle Public Schools’ schedule change implementing two high school lunch periods.
Hudson Vickner Hough, a Cleveland High School senior, found flyers throughout his school about Tuesday’s protest. The group has another protest planned Saturday at 3 p.m. on Capitol Hill.
“Last time I did something like this it was really emotionally exhausting, but I just feel powerful right now,” Vickner Hough said as cars honked trying to pass students blocking Denny traffic. “We are doing something, making a change.”
Students marched into South Lake Union, ending the protest at Cascade Playground. As the student-led protest ended, a separate adult-led protest began forming at the park.
An SPS spokesperson said the district was aware students participated in the student-led walkout. “SPS respects the rights of students to express their views in a peaceful manner, including assembly and nonviolent protest,” the spokesperson wrote. “It is important to clarify that a student-led walkout is not a school or district-sponsored event.”
