The All Out for Palestine protest in Dallas on Sunday saw more than 1,000 attendees, making it the largest demonstration in the city since 2020, according to a designated legal observer. The peaceful protest took place outside Dallas City Hall and lasted for approximately an hour.
During the protest, participants marched through downtown, carrying the Palestinian flag and donning red and green hijabs. Some individuals also released red and green smoke into the crowd as a symbolic gesture. The demonstration comes in the wake of the recent Hamas attack on Israel, which led to a war between the two regions. Israeli air strikes have resulted in a high death toll and numerous injuries in Gaza, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the area.
Organizers of the Dallas protest led chants advocating for the freedom of Palestine and the end of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories. Attendees held signs with slogans denouncing the U.S.’s alleged funding of genocide and highlighting the importance of justice. The demonstration was coordinated by various Dallas-based groups, including advocacy organizations at local colleges and Muslim American and Palestinian youth movements.
Protesters outside City Hall caught the attention of onlookers inside the building, who observed the gathering through glass windows and recorded videos. A Palestinian college student attending the protest expressed her concerns about the ongoing crisis in Gaza and the fear surrounding potential ground invasions and evacuation orders.
Many attendees criticized the Dallas City Council’s resolution supporting Israel during the conflict, considering it insensitive and one-sided. They argued that the U.S., as a major aid provider to Israel, must take responsibility and address the issue.
Imam Muhammad Abdullah of Masjid Al-Islam, the oldest mosque in North Texas, emphasized the importance of the protest for his predominantly Black Muslim community, drawing attention to the apartheid-like conditions in Palestine and the contradiction between America’s stance on apartheid and its support for Israel.
The demonstration in Dallas reflects a global movement advocating for justice and calling for an end to the violence and oppression in Palestine. By raising awareness and mobilizing large numbers of people, protesters hope to effect change on a global scale and pressure governments to take action towards a peaceful resolution.
