North Alabamians call for an end to U.S. aid to Israel amid ongoing war
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Demonstrators from across the Tennessee Valley continued to rally in support of Palestine and ending U.S. aid to Israel on Saturday.
Those in support of Palestine gathered in downtown Huntsville, continuing their calls for a ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
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Some North Alabamians like Ayden Vaughn are calling Israel’s attacks on parts of Palestine a genocide, adding how those attacks are claiming innocent lives.
“It’s personal to us because we have many Palestinians within our community, and they have personally suffered. And we want to show the other side of the story that may not be as publicized,” Vaugh told News 19. “We want to keep on pushing and show that we won’t be complacent with a one-sided narrative.”
“No more killing with our dollars” and “Free Palestine” were some of the chants heard as dozens of protesters made their way around the Madison County Courthouse.
People who rallied on Saturday called out a number of elected Alabama officials, such as Senators Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville for their support of Israel.
Demonstrators want officials to put an end to their tax dollars being sent to fund a war they don’t support with many feeling like America could be using the money to solve issues in its own backyard.
“We much rather have them [tax dollars] be spent within our country and within different sectors that are suffering, such as health care or education instead of it going to fund another conflict overseas,” Vaugh said.
Some gathered for the protest that have lineal ties to the Middle East. Amena Matar tells News 19 that her family fled to Jordan after their homes in Gaza were destroyed. She says her loved ones are living in daily fear.
“I can’t be happy knowing my family is suffering. They’re living in tents; their home was demolished. It’s hard to know that I can’t do anything, and I can’t help at all,” Matar said.
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Demonstrators say what’s most difficult is knowing the attacks have killed thousands of children causing suffering for so many families and they feel the world turning its back on the most vulnerable.
“People say this is a political issue, it’s not a political issue, it never was a political issue. This is a human rights issue, 40,000 people have been murdered. This is not okay,” Matar told News 19.
Beyond a ceasefire and stopping any funding, they’re hoping to see peace restored and help to go to those in need in Gaza.
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