Pro-Palestine demonstrators march from State House to Providence Place Mall

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Hundreds of people marched in the streets from the Rhode Island State House to the Providence Place Mall in support of Palestine on Friday.

Supporters of the “Shut it Down for Palestine” movement gathered at the State House starting at 1 p.m. for prayer, a rally, and a march. They then marched to the mall, chanting demands for a complete cease-fire in Gaza.

“This Black Friday, we reject the pressure to recklessly consume. Instead, we will disrupt and demonstrate to demand an end to the occupation of Palestine and all U.S. funding to Israel,” the group said.

Some signs held by supporters read “No business as usual until Palestine is free” in reference to the walk to the mall.

ABC 6 News saw Providence police and mall security blocking the doors.

The group was denied entry into the mall and headed back toward the State House.

The protest temporarily disrupted Rhode Island Public Transit Authority service.

The group claimed the temporary truce deal in Gaza is not enough, and demanded a permanent cease-fire.

Hamas freed the first batch of hostages under the truce deal on Friday.

Gaza has been the center of the conflict in the Middle East since the war began on Oct. 7.