DeKALB – Members of NIU’s Students for Justice in Palestine hosted a rally in support of Palestine on Monday, the one-year anniversary of the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

The rally took place from noon to 3:30 p.m. at MLK Commons. There were other activities that took place such as writing specific phrases in chalk like “100,000 dead.”

The rally was supposed to begin at 1 p.m. but was moved to 2:30 p.m. due to low attendance.

Once the rally began, chants such as “Free free Palestine” and “Long live Palestine” were shouted across MLK Commons. Participants had Palestinian flags and signs throughout the rally.

The rally lasted for an hour, and the group of a dozen people disbanded at 3:30 p.m.

Kira Farooqui, a sophomore psychology major, expressed her feelings regarding the ongoing war in Gaza.

“If you have any human empathy you would see that it’s truly heartbreaking,” Farooqui said.

Sarah Salem, a third-year elementary education major and rally organizer, explained why she organized Monday’s rally.

“I think that it’s our collective responsibility to say no to injustice and to use our voices, especially because this day is very significant, so to not do anything, that’s just not really an option for me,” Salem said.

Students for Justice in Palestine will host other rallies from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday at MLK Commons.