Protesters with the group Anchorage for Palestine gather in front of a gas station in East Anchorage. Photo by Murat Demir.
Several political organizations held events in Anchorage last week supporting the pro-Palestinian movement.
Anchorage for Palestine organized a demonstration on May 15 to commemorate the 1948 mass displacement of Palestinians by Israeli military forces — known to Palestinians as the Nakba — and to call attention to Chevron’s support for the Israeli government.
The demonstration took place in front of a Chevron gas station in East Anchorage.
Protesters held signs and Palestinian flags as they crossed the intersection multiple times while chanting.
During an interview with The Northern Light, Anchorage for Palestine spokesperson Nithya Thiru said, “They (Chevron) currently extract natural gas in Palestine and that natural gas supplies Israel.”
“So the (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement has called on consumers to boycott Chevron as a way to send a message to the company that we do not support genocide.”
Thiru said they hope students are inspired to take action and acknowledged that, in Alaska, people can feel disconnected from big issues.
“Extractive industries across the world, including here in Alaska, have contributed to settler colonialism,” said Thiru.
“And by taking action here today, by continuing to educate people, by continuing to talk about Palestine, continuing to name Palestinians who have been murdered, we hope to continue to bring attention to that and eventually work towards liberation.”
Later that day, a separate pro-Palestinian demonstration — not associated with Anchorage for Palestine — was organized in Town Square Park by the Party for Socialism and Liberation Anchorage — or PSL Anchorage.
The Northern Light interviewed PSL Anchorage spokesperson Michael Patterson about the event.
“Alaska is a part of an international movement for the liberation of Palestine,” said Patterson. “We honor and remember all those who have struggled, fought and died for Palestine.”
On May 16, UAA student club Anchorage Students for Peace and Justice in Palestine, in collaboration with the Palestine Solidarity Initiative, hosted a viewing of the film “The Encampments” at the Social Sciences Building.
Article Correction: 5/21/25 at 5:38 PM. A previous version of this article incorrectly stated "the" when intended to state "a," in reference to Chevron gas stations.
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