Sunday, organizers say an estimated 500+ participants will be marching from SeaTac to Ballard in support of Palestinian liberation and to call for a permanent end to the ongoing siege on Gaza.
People taking part will walk a total of 25 miles—the length of the Gaza strip— across Seattle in solidarity with Palestine, and “for peace, life, and liberation, from every river to every sea,” organizers say.
A demonstration of this length serves as “an opportunity to build a physical connection with Gaza…and to honor the millions of Palestinians who have been displaced [from their] homeland” a lead organizer of the march tells CHS.
“25-mile[s] provides necessary time and space to process grief, welcome those new to the struggle for a free Palestine, and connect with activists seeking to deepen their commitment to justice,” the representative said.
Organizers hope to bring attention and awareness to the situation in Palestine with the highly visible, Seattle-wide action.
Inspired by a similar event that took place in Western Massachusetts in December, a group of organizers have been planning this march across Seattle. A local organizer from Jewish Voices for Peace initially sparked the idea, and more people coalesced around it, eventually forming the group of “core organizers,” the representative tells CHS.
The planning will culminate Sunday as From the River to the Sea: a 25-Mile March for Palestine takes place.
The march will begin in SeaTac at 6 AM and is expected to take until 8 PM to complete. There are scheduled stops for speakers and breaks, one of which will be at the annual Northwest Folklife Festival. The walk is broken up into segments, and people are welcome to join for any portion of the day, no matter how short a time.
“We decided to name each leg of the walk after sections of the Gaza Strip, emphasizing the connection between Indigenous land here in the Salish Sea and in Palestine,” the march representative said.
People interested in joining are encouraged to register for access to more details, including march segments, entry points, timestamps, and a map.
Values of inclusion and accessibility, which, as organizers state, are intrinsic to the Palestinian liberation movement, are embedded in the planning of this event.
According to the event’s Instagram @marchforpalestine.seattle, each section of the walk has an access score in different categories such as wheelchair accessibility, walking safety, sensory level, kid-friendliness, bathroom availability, and public transit.
“This event creates a space for all bodies, ages, and abilities to participate in a peaceful action for Palestine,” the organizer said.
Safety is a priority for the groups. Organizers have arranged support cars to move people along the route as needed. “Care Bear” volunteers will distribute water, snacks, sunscreen, etc. Street medics trained in first aid, as well as a de-escalation team will also be available throughout the walk.
To get involved and stay up to date with details, follow @marchforpalestine.seattle and register here.
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