SEATTLE — Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at Westlake Park in downtown Seattle on Saturday to pay tribute to Aysenur Ezgi Eygi after she was shot and killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank.
The demonstration began with speakers and a moment of silence for Eygi.
“Today is all about her because we all loved her," Aziz Junejo said. He told KING 5 that Eygi was active in the movement for a free Palestine and was part of the University of Washington protest earlier in the spring. He said the community is heartbroken and devastated by this loss.
Israeli soldiers killed an American woman, later identified as 26-year-old Eygi, during an anti-settlement protest in the West Bank on Friday. Eygi's family released a statement mourning her loss and calling on President Joe Biden, and other Washington officials, to investigate the shooting.
“For them just to shoot her in the head, it’s a targeted kill, it’s murder and we are deeply saddened by this," Junejo said. Taylor Young who is with the Shut it Down Coalition and said the absence of Eygi is deeply felt by the community.
“We all got to know her through the encampments, through the various actions the community has organized for Palestine so if you’ve been to them, you probably know her," Young said.
Demonstrators marched from Fourth Avenue along Pine Street to Pike Place Market holding signs and chanting.
“We will not stop showing up until we see a totally liberated Palestine," Young said. “What she is, is an embodiment of what so many of us are trying to do which is to endlessly and ceaselessly do everything you can to fight for the liberation of people.”
Young told KING 5 that Sept. 7 is a significant date because it marks 11 months since the war began between Israel and Hamas. She said the overarching goal of the demonstration is a cease-fire.
"We’re here to demand an end to the occupation, demand and arms embargo, demand the release of all Palestinian political prisoners," she said. Young said the group plans to hold another rally and march on Saturday, Oct. 5.