From NYC to LA: protests spread across US to mark a year of Israel's war on Gaza

Amid heatwaves and other severe weather across the US this weekend, tens of thousands of demonstrators in various cities gathered to mark one year of Israel's war on Gaza.

From New York to California on Saturday and Sunday, protesters waved Palestinian and Lebanese flags, flew kites in the colours of both flags, and gave speeches and marched to government buildings, with one year of Israel's war in Gaza also marking a widening of Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon and other neighbouring countries.

As of one year, Israeli airstrikes have killed more than 42,000 Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank (with some estimates putting the death toll much higher), and the recent Israeli invasion of Lebanon have killed more than 2,000. 

While led by the Palestinian diaspora, the pro-Palestinian demonstrations are seeing support from across different communities, with some protesters wearing shirts saying Jews Say Ceasefire Now, others holding signs saying Filipinos for Palestine, and with some chanting "libra Palestina" in Spanish. Labour union leaders were also prominent at this weekend's demonstrations.

At Dolores Park in San Francisco, while taking shade under palm trees with friends, Eman Mahmoud, told The New Arab, "I came here to say enough is enough. Stay out of Gaza. Stop sending our money to kill our people." She added, "And we're not going to let you do the same thing in Lebanon."

Referring to the US government, she said, "You are spending billions and billions. On what? Here in America, our kids can't have a good education because they have to pay a bunch of money. We can't have good medical insurance because you're spending our money. Look at our homeless people. Why are you sending our money to Israel?"

On the same weekend as the demonstrations in support of the people of Gaza and Lebanon, the progressive group Jewish Voice for Peace held gatherings to mourn the death and destruction over the period of one year. The same group held interfaith vigils following the 7 October Hamas-led attack that killed more than 1,100 Israelis.

Other events are planned throughout the week, including student walkouts on Monday.