'We are calling for the end of complicity.' Demonstrators march for Palestine in Knoxville

Downtown Knoxville was painted red, black and green when more than 100 demonstrators rallied March 23 to show support for Palestine.

The demonstrators rallied in Market Square before marching through the city, taking advantage of the spotlight on Knoxville during the internationally renowned Big Ears music festival and collecting some attendees to join the rally.

After speeches from members of the community, demonstrators concluded with a "die-in," a form of protest in which demonstrators lie on the ground to represent those who died.

Demonstrators, like South Knoxville resident Evora Kreis, 26, said they're tired of the U.S. government sending aid to Israel, especially after the International Court of Justice found it plausible that Israel's actions in the Israel-Hamas war could amount to genocide.

"I have loved ones who are affected by the ongoing war and occupation of Gaza and Palestine as a whole, and I think that what the Israeli government is doing in Palestine is absolutely horrendous," Kreis said.

"I believe that we here in the United States have a duty to speak up for oppressed people, and especially oppressed people that our government has a role in funding. We are calling for the end of complicity, just as the International Court of Justice called for."

Demonstrators say Israel-Hamas war is a local issue

Demonstrators expressed frustration with the Knoxville City Council after a March 19 resolution supporting Palestine failed to gain traction. Councilmembers empathized with constituents' anger over what is happening in the Middle East, but thought it inappropriate to weigh in as a city.

Supporters argued the Israel-Hamas war is a local issue, especially because of comments made by East Tennessee's congressional representatives about the war and Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon's 2023 trip to Israel.

"(Not supporting the resolution) is just saying that you're complicit in genocide," 23-year-old Knoxville transplant Madison Kreuller said at the demonstration. "When you choose neutrality, you're choosing the side of the oppressor."

The resolution, put forward by Councilmember Amelia Parker, implored President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty and U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett to use America's diplomatic powers to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

It urged federal leaders to follow a Jan. 26 International Court of Justice ruling and its "obligations under the Genocide Convention in relation to Palestinians in Gaza."

Parker condemned the killing of innocent Palestinian and Israeli civilians, but the resolution does not mention Israeli civilians in its call to action.

"(The resolution) simply states that regardless of our backgrounds and beliefs, we are united to a commitment to our justice system and our Constitution, which calls on us to adhere to international law," said Parker, who represents the entire city as one of two at-large council members.

Blackburn, Burchett and Hagerty have made statements supporting Israel in the past.

The Biden administration is supportive of Israel as well, but has become increasingly at odds with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel's refusal to scale back the war in Gaza and its efforts to get humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians.

Biden is under pressure from progressives and Arab Americans for his unwavering support of Israel in the days after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel.

Netanyahu has refused Biden's demand for a two-state solution to the Middle East crisis and has pledged to continue the war in Gaza until Hamas is crushed.

Allie Feinberg reports on politics for Knox News. Email her: allie.feinberg@knoxnews.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @alliefeinberg.

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Demonstrators march though downtown Knoxville in support of Palestine