PORTLAND, Oregon — Hundreds of people chanting, "We're here to demand the end to the blockade that we know is wrong”, outside government offices in north Portland calling for an end to the Israel-Hamas war.
Many pleading to Oregon Senator Ron Wyden and Representative Earl Blumenauer for Congress to sign the Ceasefire Now Resolution that was introduced by over a dozen house representatives.
Aimed at refocusing U.S. involvement in the Middle East solely on humanitarian assistance.
"What we're seeing is the genocide of the people of Gaza and we're saying this must stop," said Heather Dorfman, a member of the Jewish Voice for Peace Portland, the group behind Thursday's rally.
She tells KGW she hopes to send the message that war is not the answer.
"We mourn the loss of Israel we mourn the loss of all lives,” said Dorfman. “And we know that killing and attacking citizens is a violation of international human rights."
People KGW spoke with at the rally shared that although Portland is far from the Middle East, they hope the people of Israel and Palestine know Portlanders are on their side to end the war.
Others shared they feel involuntarily part of the conflict and they want it all to stop.
"I think the biggest concern is that it's my tax dollars that are being used to send additional weapons and military aid to Israel which will do nothing other than escalate the situation,” said Cynthia Gilliam, a Portlander at the rally. “I don't condone what Hamas did but at the same time, I think the retribution that we're seeing on the part of the Israeli military is uncalled for."
Another group, Oregon Stands with Israel: Stop Terrorism, Free the Hostages, is planning a rally in support for the Israeli community as well as making a plea for peace. That's set for this Oct. 22 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Pioneer Courthouse Square in Downtown Portland.