MEAWW.COM / NEWS / HUMAN INTEREST

Internet outraged after San Francisco sees pro-Palestine rally as news of EDM festival massacre goes viral

As per sources, around 260 people were killed as the militant group Hamas opened an attack on a trance music rave festival near the Gaza-Israel border

Warning: Graphic content, readers’ discretion advised

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA: A wave of furious outrage was sparked online after hundreds of Palestinian supporters rallied across San Francisco in the wake of the Israel-Palestine war. 

The officials of the Middle Eastern country formally declared war against Hamas on Sunday, October 8, just a day after the militant group launched thousands of missiles and invaded towns along the Gaza border, killing at least 700 people and wounding thousands more.

During the brutal assaults, the militant organization also opened fire at the Tribe of Nova music festival in a rural area near the Gaza-Israel border, where thousands of young people gathered to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.

The Israeli rescue service Zaka said paramedics have removed about 260 bodies from the location of the event, with the figure expected to rise as teams continue working to clear the area.

Moreover, Hamas members are said to have abducted hundreds of the attendees, including women and children. They allegedly even shot at the legs of hostages to prevent them from escaping, as reported by the Daily Mail.

A video posted to social media from the music festival showed a young woman being abducted by men on a motorbike as she cried for help as a man nearby was led away with his hands behind his back.

Further footage showed hundreds of terrified festival-goers frantically attempting to escape inside their automobiles as they were showered with gunshots.

Shani Louk, a 30-year-old German tattoo artist, was also killed during the attack, and her semi-naked body was apparently paraded in the back of a Hamas pick-up truck as militants sat on top of her and jeered following their violent raid.

Palestinian supporters rally across San Francisco

Amid Hamas’ brutal attacks, hundreds of Palestinian supporters supposedly rallied across San Francisco, chanting "Free Palestine!" and "One, two, three, four, occupation no more!"

In order to make sure their message was heard, the protestors packed Montgomery Street outside the Israeli consulate in downtown San Francisco and demanded the US government end financial aid to Israel.

The crowd also demanded the lifting of the Israeli blockade of Gaza.

However, the demonstration was met with shouts of protest from Israeli supporters who lined the streets and sang the country’s national anthem.

As tensions grew, San Francisco police officers worked hard to keep the two groups separate.

Notably, pro-Palestinian demonstrations have been seen in several other states, including Georgia, New York, and California.

In the pictures shared on social media from the demonstrations of New York's Times Square, police barricades were seen separating the pro-Palestinian protestors from a pro-Israel group.

The Palestine supporters eventually marched away chanting, "Free, free Palestine, long live Palestine" and "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free," as tourists and onlookers snapped photos.

Later, New York Gov Kathy Hochul blasted the rally as "abhorrent and morally repugnant," noting that "people of Israel are facing violent terrorist attacks and civilian kidnappings," as per Fox News. 

Internet outraged over pro-Palestinian rallies

The pro-Palestinian rallies across several states have garnered immense social media attention, especially on X (formerly Twitter). 

One wrote, "Wild!🤯🤯 Hamas parachutes down to a festival and slaughters 230 ravers... I wonder if they even know what's going on. 

A disgruntled user stated, "Disgusting terrorism supporters enjoying free speech not allowed by the organization they profess to admire." 

"How do people come out and show support for the killing of innocent women and children? I dont get it," fumed one, while another noted, "I hope these people know they are supporting terrorists who are kidnapping and slaughtering women and children. Disgusting."