MYNORTHWEST NEWS

‘Not in our name’: Hundreds rally at Space Needle to demand Gaza ceasefire

Nov 20, 2023, 5:12 AM

Gaza protests Seattle...

People demonstrate at the Space Needle for a cease-fire in Gaza. (KIRO 7)

(KIRO 7)

SEATTLE — Hundreds rallied near the Space Needle, calling for an immediate cease-fire in the war in Gaza.

Hours earlier, a suspicious package was left outside another Jewish institution.

This is the fifth time a package containing a white powder has been left at a Jewish institution in Seattle since the conflict began six weeks ago.

And again, Seattle fire determined the powder was “harmless.”

More news from KIRO 7

Now Jewish Voice for Peace is calling for a cease fire for the sake of besieged Palestinians.

And they deliberately chose the Space Needle as their backdrop.

They say they wanted to rally there to send their message of peace from the iconic structure to the rest of the world.

“We are blocking the main entrance to the iconic Space Needle in Seattle to say, ‘that’s right,’” said Wendy Somerson, co-founder, Jewish Voice for Peace, to cheers, “no more business as usual.”

There were speeches and chants.

“Not in our name!” the crowd chanted. “Not in our name. Not in our name.”

And music, too.

All of it in the shadow of the Space Needle, they say, to send a message they have been trying to get out for six long weeks: That these Jewish Americans are using their voices to call for an end to the destructive war in Israel, now.

“We’re here because the devastation is increasing,” said Michael Grant, Jewish Voice for Peace Seattle. “The urgency is increasing. The humanitarian crisis is severe, according to the UN. Starvation is at risk. Lack of clean drinking water. Not to mention millions of displaced and thousands killed in Gaza, including almost 5,000 children.”

It is that perspective they say their elected representatives in the other Washington need to heed, too.

The organizers wouldn’t tell us until the last minute where this rally would be held, for safety’s sake.

But those there say the anti-Semitic acts won’t end until the war ends.

More stories from KIRO 7 News

MyNorthwest News

ring amazon driver...

Jason Sloss, KIRO 7 News

Ring video shows Amazon driver trying to open front door during late-night delivery

A King County woman said she is cutting out late-night home deliveries after an Amazon driver tried opening her front door.

12 hours ago

fire auto repair shop seattle...

Elle Thomas, KIRO 7 News

Seattle police search for man accused of setting fire inside community DIY auto repair shop

Seattle police are asking for the public’s help identifying a man accused of setting a fire inside a Seattle auto repair shop, causing an estimated $250,000 in damage.

12 hours ago

weekend traffic I-405 DuPont...

Paola Tristan Arruda, KIRO 7 News

Weekend traffic: prepare for delays on I-405 near Kirkland, I-5 near Dupont

Drivers heading out this weekend should prepare for delays as construction projects affect both I-405 in Kirkland and I-5 near DuPont.

12 hours ago

missing...

MyNorthwest Staff

Authorities locate mother and baby who had been missing for a week from Okanogan County

A mother and her baby have been missing for a week from Okanogan County.

1 day ago

tukwila...

KIRO 7 News Staff

Tukwila educators, district reach tentative contract agreement

Educators have reached a tentative agreement with the Tukwila School District on a new contract.

1 day ago

immigrant students...

KIRO Newsradio staff

WA among 4 states being sued by Trump admin over tuition for immigrant students

Washington is among four states being sued by the Trump administration over in-state college tuition for immigrant students.

1 day ago

‘Not in our name’: Hundreds rally at Space Needle to demand Gaza ceasefire