ATLANTA (AP) – Hundreds of protesters on either side of the war in Gaza faced off on a busy downtown Atlanta street Friday, chanting and waving signs or flags.
Atlanta Police estimated about 500 people participated, with around 250 standing on either side of Marietta Street outside the Atlanta headquarters of CNN.
A document handed out by organizers of the pro-Palestine group said the protest was scheduled as part of Al-Quds Day, a day of solidarity with Palestinians that Arabs traditionally observe on the last Friday of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Al-Quds is Arabic for Jerusalem.
Demonstrators supporting the Palestinians chanted “shame on you” and held large banners that read “End U.S. Funding for Israel’s occupation of Palestine.”
Muhamed Abdulrahim of Atlanta stood on the Palestine side of the street and held a red rose as he joined the crowd chanting “free Palestine.” He said the event was intended to catch the attention of tourists and office workers passing on a warm summer afternoon.