By: Drew Chamberlain
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) – Northwest Arkansas residents gathered in Fayetteville to march and protest the deaths of Palestinians in Gaza, demanding Arkansas’ cease funding to Israel.
The Arkansas Anti-War Alliance and NWA for Palestine orchestrated the march to demand a cease-fire in Gaza in the interest of millions of bystanders, including women, children, and civilian males.
“We’re calling for an immediate cease-fire and a stop to what many Jewish-Iraseli scholars are calling a textbook case of genocide,” Abel Tomlinson, Founder of the AAWA said. “We need to dig into the root of the problem, which essentially includes seventy-five years worth of ethnic cleansing.”
The march began at the Washington County Courthouse, then continued down Dickson Street, concluding at the Arkansas Union Mall.
Anti-war speakers affected by the conflict shared their stories, grievances, and concerns about the conflict with rally members outside the Union.
The call for a cease-fire was especially emphasized due to child casualty numbers. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, almost 4,000 child fatalities have occurred since the beginning of the conflict on October 7th.
University of Arkansas professors sought to educate community members about Act 710. The act prohibits guest speakers at the University from speaking out against Israel.
Mohja Kahf, a Syrian-born University of Arkansas English Professor, believes the act is a challenge for tenured faculty, staff, and students. “I think that Act 710 is a violation of constitutional freedom of speech,” said Kahf.
Attendees also called on the State Government to withdraw continual funding of Israel. Arkansas has $57 million worth of bonds and business dealings with Israel.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and State Treasurer Larry Walther have vocalized their support for Israel. “Those who bless Israel will be blessed, and those who curse Israel will be cursed,” Walther said.
Tay Hartwig, the march organizer for NWA for Palestine, said events like the march are important in educating the community on the state and nation’s stance on the Israel-Hammas conflict and how bystanders are affected.
“This is a humanitarian crisis; these are innocent men, women, and children,” said Hartwig.