Demonstrators show support for fragile ceasefire in Gaza, amidst phase two negotiations

CARBONDALE, Ill., (KBSI) — The first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire is expiring, and so far, there has been no extension agreed upon.

With uncertainties about what’s next, people in Southern Illinois went the streets to show their support for the fragile ceasefire in Gaza.

Demonstrators like Kyle Sullivan are passionate about their personal views on the conflict.

“What the public really needs to understand is what the terms of the cease fire deal are, and who exactly is violating it,” he said.

Sullivan follows the news closely and wants more Americans to be aware of what’s going on and how they’re affected.

“I view myself as a global citizen first,” he said, “these barriers that we divide ourselves along — borders and citizenship — we’re all one human race, one human family.”

The Peace Coalition of Southern Illinois invites people to join together once a month for a peace and justice vigil at the corner of Main and Illinois Avenue.

Darby McGrann said he doesn’t know everything when it comes to war but he cares about people, and that’s why he keeps coming.

“Like an ant, one shows up, and then there’s an ant colony,” he said. “Someone for peace shows up, then there’ll be peace for everybody. Peace is very important.”

Georgeann Hartzog has been an active participant for decades. She said the Peace Coalition has held these vigils since the invasion of Afghanistan, following the 9/11 attacks.

“I feel like an utter failure after all these years. You know, it just gets worse and worse and worse. We’re almost spending a trillion U.S tax dollars on preparing for war,” she said. “But you still gotta keep doing it because the issue is there.”

Hartzog said so long as there is war and conflict, she’ll keep going out to show her support for peace.