Pro-Palestine protestors demonstrate on New Haven Green

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — Pro-Palestine protestors conducted a planned demonstration Sunday afternoon on the New Haven Green, with supporters marching in nearby streets and calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

The group marched on Elm Street, to State Street, to Wall Street, to Prospect Street, to Grove Street, to York Street and then from Chapel Street back to the New Haven Green. New Haven police shut down the streets ahead of the protestors.

The Connecticut Palestine Solidarity Coalition sent out a call earlier this month for a mass, peaceful demonstration. The group is demanding a ceasefire and U.S. funding for the State of Israel.

“No more hiding, no more fear, genocide is crystal clear,” protestors shouted, along with, “Say it loud, say it clear, we don’t want no Zionists here.”

At least a thousand people participated.

“When you say, ‘Palestine will be free,’ I need you to truly believe it, to have unwavering conviction that the suffering of our brothers and sisters will end,” said Layan Alnajjar with We Will Return CT, one of the organizations a part of the Connecticut Palestine Solidarity Coalition.

Chants called out President Joe Biden, urging him to push for a ceasefire, including, “Biden, Biden you’re a liar, we demand a ceasefire.” During the march, protestors stopped in front of Starbucks, urging a boycott of the company.

Other chants included, “We are thousands, we are millions, we are all Palestinians,” along with the refrain, “From the river, to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

Gayle Slossberg, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven, said members of the Jewish community do not feel safe around the Elm City.

“I’m not looking for trouble,” Slossberg said. “They have the right to protest peacefully, but we need to listen when people tell us who they are. Today they have told us that they support violence, and they support revolution, and that’s who they are. They don’t support the safety of Jews.”

Student protests continued Sunday at the University of Connecticut and Yale University, where dozens have been arrested.

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