About 200 activists and community members gathered in downtown Oak Park on Sunday afternoon to rally and walk for what they see as a just peace between the State of Israel, and the Palestinians.

Holocaust survivor Hedy Epstein spoke about her experiences visiting the occupied territories, including a demonstration lead by Israeli Anarchists at the apartheid wall, the kindness and graciousness of the Palestinians she met, and the dehumanizing treatment she received from Israeli soldiers.

Next, the crowd sang along to “Peace Salaam Shalom” with special guest performers Pat Humphries & Sandy Opatow.

The walk started at Scoville Park in downtown Oak Park, and on the sidewalk headed west to Harlem Ave., back along Lake St. to Oak Park Ave., then south to Pleasant St. and back north to the Park.

Afterwards, participants met at First United Church for a potluck and letter writing event in the church’s basement. Hedy spoke again, and urged all in attendance to travel to Palestine with whatever group you choose, to be a witness to the brutality of the occupation, and stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people. Later, participants wrote postcards to urge Democrats and Republicans to take “courageous action toward a just and peaceful resolution” to the conflict.