Pro-Palestinian protesters fill intersection of Walnut and Western for International Worker’s Day

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Among national protests there was one held in Michiana this afternoon.

Michiana Friends of Palestine held a protest at the busy intersection of Walnut and Western calling for laborers to unite on International Worker’s Day.

Chants and signs supporting a free Palestine took over the intersection, Wednesday.

“With all of the workers… all of the Palestinians, we're here to respond to the call from the Palestinian workers' unions to rally American work unions with the Palestinian cause,” said Blint Althawra, an organizer for the protest.

Dozens came out and kept the peace. Among them, volunteers providing snacks and drinks to protesters.

“I’m here with Food not Bombs. We are a local autonomous group that started in California in the 70s as like an anti-war protest group for the Vietnam war,” said Haley a Volunteer for Food not Bombs.

In both English and Spanish, demonstrators called for an end to the War in Gaza and an independent Palestine.

Signs reading, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

Many activists say it’s a call for peace and equality, but Hamas has also adopted the slogan with the anti-defamation league labeling it as an anti-Semitic rallying cry, calling for Israel’s destruction.

Organizers with Michiana Friends of Palestine tell ABC57 the group will continue holding rallies, calling for a ceasefire.

“We’re here to say not in our name, you know, we’re peace-loving American citizens that’s our taxpayer money. We don’t want to use that to kill others,” added Althawra.

There were no arrests or traffic disruptions during the two-hour demonstration.