Voices boomed as students and community members took a stand on Saturday, as they marched from Lower Harbor’s bell tower to Harlow Park, demanding a ceasefire in Gaza. Participants held their heads high as they spoke their minds during a peaceful protest.
“We want people to know at the end of this event, that no matter how informed you feel that you may or may not be, you absolutely can be involved and you should be involved,” said Ian Watson, protest organizer and NMU student. “This is a dire situation that demands that every single person is making their voice heard and doing anything that they can, regardless of how small the action may feel.”
According to Watson, actions as small as liking social media posts or acknowledging the issue on different platforms can make a significant difference. He believes that any person can be supportive and create change, regardless of their social standing. Some feel that their input does not matter because they are not fully educated and all-knowing, but Watson said this line of thinking is wrong.
Watson also spoke about the concept of an “imperfect activist;” someone who does not have all the information about a cause or who is not particularly well-spoken but can still care and be helpful.
“Just do what you can, be there and support the people of Palestine,” Watson said.
After listening to people of the community over the past few months, Watson noticed that many find it concerning how little these issues are spoken about in public. Some people see a low presence of conversation regarding the topic in the area, and there are not enough people getting involved. In response, Watson and other organizers started the protest to make Palestine a topic of conversation.
“At times, this genocide can feel like it’s a world away, being all the way across the ocean in the Middle East,” Watson continued. “Hearing all these little bits and pieces of information that can sometimes feel really overwhelming through the media, and [it feels] like there’s nothing you can do to help. Our main priority is to connect people to this genocide and show people that it’s not as far removed as you think it is.”
Watson then dove deeper into the horrific realities of citizens in Gaza.
“Every time I see a plastic grocery bag, I think about the grocery bags that held dismembered bodies of people’s children,” Watson said. “Every time I see an ambulance drive by, I think about the fact that there are six ambulances left in the entire Gaza strip for only 2 million people.”
Watson concluded by mentioning the different ways the NMU students can get involved in support of Palestine. He says by just hanging a flag or reposting to spread awareness, students can make a difference in the community.
“There are a million things you can do,” Watson said. “Just get out there and do something, even if it feels small.”
