Dozens of pro-Palestine demonstrations calling for a ceasefire and “Hands off Rafah” took place throughout the country on Saturday.
Hundreds of people showed up for the San Antonio “Hands off Rafah” demonstration, hosted by the San Antonio branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, as demonstrators marched from Municipal Plaza down E. Houston Street to the Hipolito F. Garcia Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, shouting, chanting and clapping.
Clarissa Rodriguez holds a replica dead baby while marching through the streets of downtown San Antonio during a “Hands off Rafah” demonstration on Saturday, March 2, 2024. Rodriguez, a mother of three children ages 6-14, said she chose to march with the baby to represent those parents who feel helpless and unable to protect their innocent children from the ongoing destruction in Gaza. On Feb. 2, Al Jazeera published a list of over 11,500 names of children aged 0-18 that have died from Israeli attacks since Oct. 7, 2023. The news publication said the list of names was not even half the total number of children that have died since Oct. 7. Photo by Amber EsparzaSalma Kherais, a Palestinian-American and psychology senior at the University of Texas at San Antonio, gives a speech during a rally at Municipal Plaza before marching during the “Hands off Rafah” demonstration in downtown San Antonio on March 2, 2024. Kherais told marchers “I want you all to get as loud as possible. I want our voices to echo through the streets. And let the city of San Antonio know that the people stand on the right side of history.” Photo by Amber EsparzaPro-Palestine supporter Summer Kewiski writes “These sacrifices will not be in vain” on a cardboard coffin honoring deceased U.S. Airman Aaron Bushnell during a rally preceding the “Hands off Rafah” demonstration in downtown San Antonio on March 2, 2024. Bushnell, a San Antonio-based service member shouted “Free Palestine” as he lit himself on fire in front of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 25 in protest of the Israel-Hamas war. Photo by Amber EsparzaPro-Palestine demonstrators line up in the ally between the San Fernando Cathedral and Municipal Plaza building in downtown San Antonio before marching during the “Hands off Rafah” demonstration on March 2, 2024. Photo by Amber EsparzaPro-Palestine demonstrators line up in the ally between the San Fernando Cathedral and Municipal Plaza building in downtown San Antonio before marching during the “Hands off Rafah” demonstration on March 2, 2024. Photo by Amber EsparzaFaiza Ngyuen rallies pro-Palestine demonstrators as they line up in the ally between the San Fernando Cathedral and Municipal Plaza during the “Hands off Rafah” demonstration in downtown San Antonio on March 2, 2024. Ngyuen’s 11-year-old son Eli and 9-year-old daughter Emma sold homemade cookies to demonstrators before the march to raise money to donate to the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund. Eli said “It’s our duty to help (Palestine) anyway we can and this is just one of the ways.” Photo by Amber EsparzaPalestinian-American sisters Salma Kherais (left) and Haneen Kherais chant pro-Palestine phrases together as they lead marchers down E. Houston Street during the “Hands off Rafah” demonstration in downtown San Antonio on March 2, 2024. Salma and Haneen both gave speeches at the preceding rally at Municipal Plaza. Haneen criticized mayor Ron Nirenberg and District 8 City Council member Manny Pelaez for they’re refusal to listen to calls for a ceasefire in Gaza. Photo by Amber EsparzaPro-Palestine demonstrators march through E. Houston Street in downtown San Antonio during a “Hands off Rafah” demonstration on March 2, 2024. The event was organized by the San Antonio branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation in congruence with similar demonstrations held across the country that same day. Photo by Amber EsparzaPro-Palestine demonstrators march through E. Houston Street in downtown San Antonio during a “Hands off Rafah” demonstration on March 2, 2024. The event was organized by the San Antonio branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation in congruence with similar demonstrations held across the country that same day. Photo by Amber EsparzaSuzi Ingram, a member of the San Antonio branch of the Party of Socialism and Liberation, drives a vehicle leading marchers through downtown San Antonio during the “Hands off Rafah” demonstration on March 2, 2024. Ingram said she joined the party two years ago after continuously seeing the organization participate at various other rallies and marches throughout the years. Photo by Amber EsparzaPro-Palestine supporters rally outside the Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse on E. Houston Street after marching from Municipal Plaza during the “Hands off Rafah” demonstration held in downtown San Antonio on March 2, 2024. Photo by Amber EsparzaPro-Palestine supporters rally outside the Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse on E. Houston Street after marching from Municipal Plaza during the “Hands off Rafah” demonstration held in downtown San Antonio on March 2, 2024. Photo by Amber EsparzaPro-Palestine supporters rally outside the Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse on E. Houston Street as Tori Ramirez, an organizer with the San Antonio branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, gives a speech after marching from Municipal Plaza during the “Hands off Rafah” demonstration on March 2, 2024. Photo by Amber EsparzaTori Ramirez, an organizer with the San Antonio branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, pauses for a breath during a speech outside the Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse on E. Houston Street after leading pro-Palestine marchers from Municipal Plaza through downtown San Antonio during the “Hands off Rafah” demonstration on March 2, 2024. Photo by Amber EsparzaA volunteer with the San Antonio branch for the Party of Socialism and Liberation holds a banner calling for a ceasefire from the U.S. and Israel on the war in Gaza during the “Hands off Rafah” demonstration on Saturday, March 2, 2024. The event was organized by the San Antonio branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation in congruence with similar demonstrations held across the country that same day. Photo by Amber EsparzaPro-Palestine supporter Daniyal, who declined to give a last name, helps direct marchers through the streets of downtown San Antonio during the “Hands off Rafah” demonstration on March 2, 2024. Photo by Amber EsparzaPro-Palestine demonstrators march down E. Houston Street in downtown San Antonio during a “Hands off Rafah” demonstration on March 2, 2024. The event was organized by the San Antonio branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation in congruence with similar demonstrations held across the country that same day. Photo by Amber EsparzaPro-Palestine demonstrators march through E. Houston Street in downtown San Antonio during a “Hands off Rafah” demonstration on March 2, 2024. The event was organized by the San Antonio branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation in congruence with similar demonstrations held across the country that same day. Photo by Amber EsparzaPro-Palestine supporter Summer Kewiski holds a handpainted sign that reads “CHILDREN ARE DYING” while marching down E. Houston Street during a “Hands off Rafah” demonstration in downtown San Antonio on March 2, 2024. The back of her sign read “Free Palestine.” Photo by Amber EsparzaPro-Palestine demonstrators march down E. Houston Street in downtown San Antonio during a “Hands off Rafah” demonstration on March 2, 2024. The event was organized by the San Antonio branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation in congruence with similar demonstrations held across the country that same day. Photo by Amber EsparzaClarissa Rodriguez holds a symbolic dead child while marching with other pro-Palestinian supporters from Municipal Plaza through E. Houston Street during the “Hands off Rafah” demonstration on Saturday, March 2, 2024. Photo by Amber EsparzaA couple march hand-in-hand through the streets of downtown San Antonio during Saturday’s “Hands Off Rafah” demonstration on March 2, 2024. The event was organized by the San Antonio branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation. Photo by Amber Esparza
Amber Esparza is a senior communications major and Managing Editor for The Mesquite at Texas A&M University-San Antonio. Amber joined The Mesquite in spring 2021 as a Photo and Multimedia Editor after transferring from the Alamo Colleges with an associate’s degree in communication. Amber has extensive experience in photography, journalism and radio, television and film. In her spare time, Amber enjoys thrift shopping, doing deep dives on the music she’s listening to and watching movies, TV and YouTube. Amber hopes to build a career that can incorporate all of her passions for media and entertainment.
