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Protesters call for ceasefire in Gaza, close uptown Dallas roads during march

More than 1,000 people carrying Palestinian flags marched Sunday around Turtle Creek Park.

DALLAS — More than 1,000 people carrying Palestinian flags marched around Dallas's Turtle Creek Park Sunday. 

The demonstration briefly closed Lemmon Avenue and Oak Lawn Avenue. Dallas police officers blocked the roads to oncoming traffic. 

Organizers say this is the eighth time they've rallied since fighting began in October. 

"We want a ceasefire now," organizer Faizan Syed said. "We want humanitarian aid in southern Gaza now."

The group chose Turtle Creek for its proximity to U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz's Dallas office. They called on the U.S. to end military aid to Israel, which the protestors say will be used against innocent people. 

"This is the time to stand up and speak out because, if you don't, 2.3 million people are already starving and do not have access to water," Syed said. "Their lives are at risk."

The group, which included people from varying ethnicities and religious backgrounds, favors the Israeli government's exit from Gaza, which they and many others describe as "an open-air prison."

"This has nothing to do with religion," Syed said. "It has to do with humanity. Do we, as a nation, accept that 2.3 million people have lived under a blockade for 18 years? Do we accept that unarmed people are being bombed daily?"

One marcher, Khaled Mustafa, says he grew up in Palestine. 

"I've always been in the shadows, hidden," he said. "Nobody talks about me. Nobody cares about me. To see so many caring about Palestinians today and, in addition - we care about the innocent Israelis. We are here to speak against all crimes against humanity." 

An Imam led then group in prayer before the march. Speakers also read passages from the Quran. 

Thousands of people, including civilians and children, have so far died in the conflict. 

"Every single day that goes by, the situation in Gaza is getting worse and worse and worse," Syed said. 

In Tarrant County, hundreds of people marched during the "Fort Worth stands with Israel" rally. Similar protests have taken place across the metroplex since October. 

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