Members of the Central Valley community gathered on April 15 to raise their voices and stand in solidarity with Palestine liberation at the Justice for Palestine rally and march, organized by The United Front for Liberation. 

Against the ongoing protests, concerns, and fear of the ongoing genocide in Gaza, the event served as a moment of collective grief, solidarity, and resistance.

Participants started at Mill Creek by hearing from various speakers who raised awareness of what is currently happening in Gaza and explained why these protests matter. 

One speaker, who asked to be anonymous, shared that they have heard “from the heart of Palestine” that protests and rallies across the country help spread awareness and help the Palestinians. 

“Yes, organizing more of these protests, these protests that you are all doing, will prevent their plans of kidnapping… deporting… and enacting more and more laws,” read the letter that they received from a contact in North Gaza. “These protests terrify them.” 

For many, the letter reinforced the belief that speaking out, organizing, and showing up matters even when the situation can feel distant. 

“We march today to remember the lives we’ve lost in the ongoing genocide,” said a speaker. “To honor their memory and keep all their voices alive. But most of all we march to make sure that those in power here understand that we are not going anywhere.” 

They marched across the streets of downtown Bakersfield, to the Dignity Health, formally known as Mechanic Bank Arena in order to share their message at the “Fighting Oligarchy” tour with Bernie Sanders and Rep. AOC.