Commenced by a group of five women from the city, the initiative aims to raise awareness and mobilise support to stop the ongoing Palestinian 'genocide' while advocating for liberation.
Published Nov 24, 2023 | 2:00 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 24, 2023 | 4:07 PM
A peaceful protest, 'Walk for Palestine', is scheduled to happen on November 25 at Rajarathinam Stadium. (iStock)
The Gaza Strip has endured an intense siege lasting nearly seven weeks, resulting in the devastating loss of about 14,532 Palestinians, including nearly 6,000 children due to attacks from Israel.
More than a million people have been displaced, with thousands wounded and missing since October 7, sparking global concern for this severe humanitarian crisis.
Just three weeks ago, a chance encounter among five women at an open mic event in Chennai became the catalyst for championing a cause centred around this humanitarian issue.
Meet Maryam Afzal, a journalism student and content writer; Aasiya Maaviah and Madihah Khan, both architects; Bhuvaneshwari Mahesh, a journalism student; and Sinduja Sivarajah, a copywriter — who’ve united to launch the ‘Walk for Palestine Chennai‘ social media campaign.
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Kicked off on October 27, their mission is to foster a community dedicated to standing in solidarity with Palestine and its struggle.
Operating through their online platform, this group has actively raised awareness about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, employing poetry, informative posts, and open mic sessions to disseminate credible information.
Despite its recent establishment, the initiative has gained substantial traction, culminating in the planning of a peaceful protest, ‘Walk for Palestine’, scheduled to happen on November 25 at Rajarathinam Stadium.
In a conversation with South First, Aasiya, one of the organisers, expressed immense gratitude for the overwhelming support they’ve received.
She detailed that an initial vigil in Chennai led to the subsequent demand for a larger protest. Overcoming permission hurdles, they have now obtained all necessary approvals, including comprehensive police permission and authorisation.
“We announced the protest only after acquiring all required permissions,” mentioned Maaviah.
An official statement from the initiative disclosed that the peaceful protest has secured over 1,000 confirmed RSVPs, with the numbers steadily increasing.
“Through this peaceful demonstration, our goal is to heighten awareness and exhibit solidarity with Palestine. We also aim to amplify the urgent plea for a ceasefire, stressing our primary objective—the liberation of Palestine. Ceasefires offer temporary respite; our ultimate aspiration is freedom,” she emphasised.
The ‘Walk for Palestine’ initiative is an example of the power of strangers banding together for a cause. These five women, having met just three weeks prior during an open mic event, swiftly nurtured a strong camaraderie.
“Despite the brevity, we’ve developed a strong bond. We speak every day – and of course, there’s so much to plan!,” shared Maaviah.
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Aligned in their beliefs regarding the Palestinian cause, they swiftly took action. Originally initiated by Abdullah, the page gained momentum as the other four women joined, morphing into a supportive community.
“In the hours following the protest announcement, over a thousand individuals expressed interest, requesting flags and keffiyehs. Celebrities and influencers have also reached out in support. It’s heartening to witness people standing up for this cause,” observed Aasiya.
The ‘Walk for Palestine’ isn’t confined to local boundaries; comments on their posts indicate participants from other states planning to join, bolstering the movement’s diversity and strength.
A notable aspect of this movement is its commitment to inclusivity while steering clear of political affiliations.
“This is not a religiously motivated protest, and we vehemently oppose any form of anti-Semitism. We won’t tolerate political agendas or any form of violent, incendiary language. Our rally’s objective is crystal clear: to end the Gaza ceasefire, oppose the Palestinian genocide, raise awareness, and advocate passionately for Palestine’s liberation,” asserted Maaviah.
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This movement originates from a collective outcry against the harrowing situation in Palestine. With livelihoods, lives, and liberties at stake, the organisers strive to amplify the voices of the affected and bring their plight to a global stage.
‘Walk for Palestine’ is set to take place on 25 November, 2023, at Rajarathinam Stadium, Egmore, from 2 pm to 5 pm. For further details, visit Instagram @walkforpalestine.chennai or contact: +91 9791017550.
