On busy travel day, Triangle protesters take to I-40 overpass to call for Gaza cease-fire
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NC responds to Israel-Hamas war
Since Oct. 7, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, the ensuing war in Gaza has had an impact around the world. In the Triangle, protesters have taken to the streets, college campuses and government meetings to call for a cease-fire, aid to Gaza and the release of hostages. Here is ongoing coverage from The News & Observer.
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Dozens of people took to a bridge over Interstate 40 on Wednesday afternoon hoping to persuade drivers to support a cease-fire in Gaza.
Carrying signs that read “Stop genocide in Gaza” and “Silence is violence,” the demonstrators gathered in William B. Umstead State Park before marching out onto the North Harrison Avenue bridge over I-40 in Cary. They also handed out leaflets to drivers exiting the highway.
The event was organized by Jewish Voice for Peace, one of several groups in the Triangle that have been holding demonstrations and appearing at town and city council meetings pressing for support for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza and an end to the Israeli military action there. Israel began bombing Gaza shortly after Hamas fighters crossed into southern Israel Oct. 7, killing more than 1,200 civilians and soldiers and taking hundreds of people hostage.
Israel has agreed to a limited cease-fire in exchange for the release of hostages.
Roxana Bendezú, director of Triangle-based Migrant Roots Media, said actions like Wednesday’s demonstration helped pressure Israel to negotiate the temporary cease-fire.
“But a pause is not enough, “ Bendezú said. “The temporary (pause) doesn’t work for people who don’t have access to water, to food, to shelter. Right now, it’s getting really cold in Gaza.”
Organizers said their action Wednesday was aimed at putting pressure on the Triangle’s three members of Congress — Valerie Foushee, Wiley Nickel and Deborah Ross — to join other Democrats in supporting a “full and lasting ceasefire.” On the Aviation Parkway bridge over I-40, they hung a banner that read: “Durham voters want a ceasefire now,” and listed Foushee’s name and phone number.
The demonstrators were also trying to get the attention of Gov. Roy Cooper and the Raleigh City Council, who they’ve also been trying to get to support a cease-fire resolution.
“We’ve been treated as invisible by the mayor of Raleigh,” said Rañia Masri, a local activist who is of Lebanese and Palestinian descent. “We have gone twice in large numbers to the City Council, and they have received over 1,800 letters from us.”
Jewish Voice for Peace had initially planned to appear at Raleigh-Durham International Airport to “canvas, pray, and sing to encourage travelers” to contact Foushee, Ross and Nickel. They shifted their action to the North Harrison Avenue bridge. Instead of personal contact, the demonstrators had to settle for honks of support from passing cars and trucks.
In a written statement, RDU said it was monitoring the situation, but would not comment further.
“Airport law enforcement is always vigilant about protecting the safety of guests and visitors but does not publicly discuss its security measures,” it said.
This story was originally published November 22, 2023 at 6:02 PM.
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