Community members, local activists and interfaith leaders congregated at Palo Alto City Hall on April 21 to hold a vigil, mourning the more than 15,000 Palestinian children killed in the Israeli siege on Gaza since Oct. 7.
The vigil’s organizers asked attendees to bring articles of children’s clothing representing the lives lost, as well as pots, pans and bowls to help raise awareness of the ongoing famine in Gaza.
The event featured speakers from local activist groups including the Bay Area chapters of the Council on American-Islamic Relations and Jewish Voice for Peace, the Raging Grannies and No Tech for Apartheid, as well as Palestinian American community members.
Noor Bilbeisi, a pediatric dentist practicing in Palo Alto, spoke on the stress and trauma Palestinian children endure.
“Every day, for the last six months, children in Gaza have been terrorized by the unimaginable booming sounds of bombs, drones and sirens,” Bilbeisi said. “And every day, these children are separated from their families and their parents.”
Following the speakers, protesters took a short break for midday prayer before embarking on a march from city hall along University Avenue which was accompanied by drummers.
The event’s primary organizer, Vigil4Gaza, holds regular gatherings every Sunday evening at Palo Alto’s Town and Country shopping center and is present at Stanford University’s ongoing Gaza solidarity encampment.

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Frank Mayers

Local religious leaders and community organizers speak on the need for a ceasefire.