Protesters hold prayer service for Palestinian mothers as they call for ceasefire

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A group of protestors held a rally, prayer, and meal to remember the Palestinian mothers killed in the ongoing conflict in Gaza and to call for an end for U.S. military aid to Israel.

The protest took place on the Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Bridge in Providence and was organized by the Rhode Island Community Khayr, Falasteen Diaspora United, the Party for Socialism and Liberation Rhode Island, and Jewish Voice for Peace Rhode Island.

“The need to end the genocide against Palestinians is more urgent than ever: just days ago, Israel began its ground attack on Rafah, the most densely populated part of Gaza,” organizer Reem Said-Awad said. “In the face of massacres, expulsion, and the surveillance and control tactics of apartheid, Palestinian mothers have shown the Sumud (steadfastness) that declares: ‘You may break our bones, but you cannot break our spirit!'”

This was not the first pro-Palestinian protest in Providence over the weekend, as protestors interrupted the partial WaterFire lighting on May 11.