On the evening of Monday, August 4, the usually quiet Main Street in Peekskill came alive with chants of “Free, free Gaza,” as dozens gathered outside The Field Library. Facing City Hall, protesters held signs and candles, their voices rising together in a show of solidarity with the people of Gaza. The vigil was organized by local resident Ingrid Wittmann in response to the worsening humanitarian crisis in the besieged Palestinian territory.
As the crowd formed, signs asked haunting questions—ones reportedly posed by children in Gaza—while handmade posters conveyed grief, rage, and calls for justice.
Bearing Witness to a Humanitarian Crisis
In recent months, Gaza has seen a catastrophic escalation of violence. Blockades and airstrikes have killed thousands, many of them children. Hospitals are out of fuel, medicine, and supplies. Families are trapped beneath rubble. For children especially, Gaza has become, as Wittmann described, “a relentless nightmare of fear, hunger, and loss.”
“These are not just numbers on a screen,” she told the crowd. “These are children. The silence from our leaders, locally and nationally, is deafening.”
For Wittmann, organizing the vigil was about more than just raising awareness—it was about creating a safe, public space to express pain and outrage without being told to “calm down.” The vigil also served as a forum to demand action and visibility for those suffering across the globe.
Diverse Voices, Shared Purpose
The crowd outside the library reflected a wide range of backgrounds. Some were longtime activists, while others were attending their first protest. Many had traveled from nearby towns; a few had driven hours to be there.
Among the most vocal were a group of young men from the Hudson Valley Islamic Community Center, joined by Kwame Madden of Peekskill, leading passionate chants that reverberated along Main Street. Though most declined to be named, their presence was deeply felt. “It gives me hope,” said one, “to see this many people standing with us.”
Irene Ippolioto, who traveled from Long Island, described the gathering as a moral imperative. “As an American, it’s my responsibility to be here,” she told the Peekskill Herald.
Honking Horns, Raised Signs, and Calls for Action
Throughout the evening, passing cars slowed to honk in support. Drivers waved or joined in the chants. A table was set up with a QR code linking to petitions, informational resources, and humanitarian aid efforts—offering participants concrete ways to support the cause.
Nada Khader, representing the WESPAC Foundation (Westchester People’s Action Coalition), emphasized the importance of such public gatherings. “It’s a shameful time to be an American,” she said. “But seeing all these people here reminds me there are still those who want to end the horrors.”
Personal Stories, Powerful Moments
For Yvonne Ayoub and Rawan Nahas, Christian Palestinian women living in nearby Croton-on-Hudson, the vigil was deeply emotional.
“I’m not someone who’s been to many protests,” Ayoub admitted, “but I don’t see how anyone can witness what’s going on and stay silent.”
Standing beside her, Nahas held her sign firmly. “People have been ignoring this issue for over 70 years,” she said. “But after October 7, more people are finally paying attention. We need to keep that attention alive.”
In one particularly powerful moment, protester Janine Milello pulled out her phone and called a local politician, using her voice to amplify the cries around her. It was a reminder that activism isn’t just about showing up—it’s also about speaking out and holding leaders accountable.
“It’s a Human Rights Issue”
As the two-hour vigil came to a close, the chants still rang out through the streets of Peekskill. For many attendees, this was not the end but a beginning—a first step toward sustained advocacy and civic pressure.
“This isn’t a foreign issue,” Wittmann said firmly. “It’s a human rights issue.”
And for those gathered, the message was clear: silence is not an option.
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