Supporters fly kites calling for an end to bloodshed in Gaza

​​​More than 200 people gathered at the Christmas tree at the Downers Grove Metra Station Saturday before marching down Main Street to Fishel Park, calling for an end to the violence and bloodshed in Gaza.

After about a 10-minute walk along Main Street sidewalks, the group entered Fishel Park where a number of speakers rallied the crowd. A few attendees attempted to fly kites bearing “Ceasefire now” and “Free Palestine“ messages on a cold day with no wind.

The vigil was held in collaboration with various groups including The Mecca Center in Willowbrook, Jewish Voice for Peace, and American Muslims for Palestine. It featured speakers representing different faith communities.

“We're here to commemorate the lives lost in Palestine (of) innocent civilians,” said Nader Hamdan of Westmont. “It's important to raise voices and raise concern over the 20,000 people that have been lost that America is actively helping to fund. They're allowing money to go to Israel to commit a genocide.”

The war already has killed more than 21,500 Palestinians, most of them women and children, and wounded another 55,600, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza. Israel’s unprecedented air and ground offensive against Hamas has displaced some 85% of the Gaza Strip’s 2.3 million residents, The Associated Press reports.

Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel that triggered the war killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, the Associated Press reports.

Hamdan, whose parents immigrated from the Palestinian territories, said many families have been wiped out entirely due to Israel’s bombing of cities, towns and refugee camps across Gaza.

“I have friends who have lost over 30 family members in these indiscriminate bombings and in this inhumane violence towards Palestinians ... towards hospitals, schools,” he said. “We're using this (vigil) to raise awareness over the issue, and help at least to try to make a difference in our Congress people's votes,” he added.