MILWAUKEE — On Saturday, people around the world took part in what they called a “Day of Action for Palestine.”

The Wisconsin Coalition for Justice in Palestine and the Wisconsin Bail Out the People Movement organized a march on Milwaukee’s south side Saturday afternoon.

Hundreds of people gathered at the Islamic Society of Milwaukee before taking to the streets. They said they are demanding a ceasefire in Gaza, and the opening of the Rafah border crossing to Egypt. 

That border crossing has been shut down, eliminating a key path for evacuations and humanitarian aid. According to the World Food Program, Gaza now has the worst levels of child malnutrition of anywhere in the world.

Many of the pro-Palestine protestors shared their outrage over the latest bombing of an area designated for displaced Palestinians in Rafah.

“People were told to evacuate certain parts and now they are all pushed in to this little place Rafah, which is supposed to be safe,” said Sawsan Aichoune.

“We are here to say that we stand with the innocent civilians that are being targeted,” added Janan Najeeb, who works with the Wisconsin Coalition for Justice in Palestine.

The Gaza Health Ministry said nearly 30,000 people have been killed in Gaza. Two-thirds of them are women and children. Israel has disputed those numbers.

Many in the crowd said it hurts them not to be able to do more to help.

“Especially when something goes on for four or five months, it makes sense for people to lose heart, lose hope,” said Stephan Langenborg.

“We’re helpless here,” said Aichoune. “This least we can do is spread awareness.”