TAMPA, Fla. — As Palestinians are given hours to leave Northern Gaza, many of their family members rally and cry out to the community miles away.
Hundreds came together, from Palestinians to people from other countries and Muslim groups. Their emotion was raw and their message clear: they want Palestine to be free.
"Remove the veil of oppression so we can see peace in Gaza, peace in Palestine," one of many speakers at the podium in front of Tampa's City Hall said.
Deep from their soul, they plead for freedom and the release of a country they say continues to be oppressed after 75 years.
Miles away, Palestinians flee their homes carrying whatever they can as they rush to evacuate.
"Gaza is dying, Gaza is bleeding," Leali Shalabi said from the podium.
Those with family still in Palestine are left heartbroken. They took their message to the streets of Tampa and ended in front of the Tampa courthouse. As they marched for blocks, they yelled 'Free Palestine!'
"We the people demand a ceasefire on Gaza. We the people are here promoting peace and nothing but peace. We the people are here peacefully demonstrating for the suffrage of Palestinians," Shalabi said.
After their chants, there was a moment of prayer and solidarity in the park.
"It felt very empowering because it felt like that, despite what the government says about us, despite what maybe some news outlets say about us, our resolve is clear and the people have spoken," Ali Hamad said.
Hamad is just 17-years-old. His grandparents are still in the West Bank. Communication with them is slim.
"They live in a safer area so like, praise God for that. but even then, all the time, there's constantly conflicts breaking out in the street," Hamad said.
That's why he stands with everyone today as the Israeli military continues to carry out thousands of strikes, leaving thousands dead across the Palestinian territory. He says they don't agree or support the terrorist group Hamas.
"There absolutely is a difference between Hamas and the Palestinians here today. We're just arguing for equal rights and self-sovereignty and self-determination to have our own state," Hamad said.
Palestinians fight to protect land they say is theirs and their people shouldn't be controlled by threats from Israel.
"We do agree that Palestinians have the right to resist but no, we do not believe in killing civilians. We have to represent ourselves and I think that's what's most heartbreaking," Hamad said.
Their fight doesn't stop today, plans are in the works for more demonstrations in support of Palestine this weekend.