About 100 people gathered Saturday in Olympia’s Sylvester Park, holding signs supporting the family of Rachel Corrie, an Olympia activist killed in the Gaza Strip after standing in front of an Israeli military bulldozer.
Saturday marked the 10th anniversary of Corrie’s death at the age of 23. She had traveled to Gaza with the International Solidarity Movement and was acting as a human shield to try to stop Israeli soldiers from destroying Palestinian homes and farms.
Supporters from all around the globe spoke about Corrie, her message and sacrifice a decade ago.
“It’s very important her message can continue,” said Corrie’s mother, Cindy Corrie. “It’s terribly important we keep this alive.”
The Corries sued to hold Israel responsible for their daughter’s death, but the lawsuit was rejected. The family has appealed and plans to be before the court again in February.
“Nobody in Israel has been held responsible for Rachel’s death, and all we are asking for is to enforce the law,” said speaker Sallie Shawl, a representative of the Jewish Voice for Peace Tacoma chapter, at the rally.
Speakers stood inside the gazebo, which was decorated with white doves carrying photographs of Rachel Corrie. Those attending held signs stating, “Apartheid is always wrong,” “Equal rights for Palestinians – the way for peace” and “Humanity knows no boundaries.”
A graduate student from Gaza also spoke. “All human beings have the sense of peace inside themselves,” said Abeer Alygazji. “But they need something to push them to this position … to go back to our origins and nature; let the peace inside us come.”
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