Palestinian flags waved on Monday outside the John J. Duncan Federal Building downtown as protesters, mostly from UT, gathered to show their support for Palestine as the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict escalates.

The Progressive Student Alliance and the Muslim Student Association organized the protest, but others uninvolved with the university also attended.

"We hope to increase awareness about the conflict and that the federal government stops spending money to kill innocent people when our tuition is going through the roof," said Kyle Hardy, a UT student and one of the protest organizers.

Most students attended between their classes. At its peak about 30 people could be seen chanting, "no justice, no peace, U.S. out of the Middle East" and waving signs with the slogan, "Stop funding Israeli terrorism." 

The protesters received little recognition from the passing motorists and pedestrians.  A few honked in agreement, others yelled and made hand gestures but most ignored them. 

I hear these labels like terrorists, but how can my six-year-old cousin be a terrorist? I have been praying a lot this past week.
Zainab al-Ashkar

The protesters also shouted, "Intifada," the name of the Palestinian uprising, which is considered by many to be a terrorist group. 

 "That's a terrorist organization," said Alex Hardy, a student who watched the protest. "I don't think many of them actually know what that means."

"3,000 missiles were fired (at Israel) this year," continued Alex Hardy, "where were the protest against that? Compare that to Israel, who sends aid into Gaza and warns civilians of attacks, it's completely the opposite. Their (Palestine's) regard for human life seems a bit misguided."

Several protesters were Palestinians, including Zainab al-Ashkar, who lost two cousins since the fighting resumed on Dec. 27.  One was 6 years old and the other 14.

"I'm actually about to cry. People shouldn't have to live like that," said al-Ashkar.  "I hear these labels like terrorists, but how can my six-year-old cousin be a terrorist? I have been praying a lot this past week."

Al-Ashar said that most of the Palestinian protesters came to protest the killing of innocent people and not to support Hamas.

"I don't agree with a lot of (Hamas') ideals," she said, "but right now, to me, I think they're a resistance group."

At 1:40 pm protesters left the federal building to deliver a letter to Senators Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander and Representative John J. Duncan Jr., whose local offices are located at the federal courthouse.

The letter asks the congressmen to call for an immediate cease-fire, to help facilitate lasting peace in Palestine and to stand for justice and freedom for all people in the Middle East. They also asked that the money America spends to support Israel be redirected to support education.