Day 2: Pro-Palestine Demonstrations At Rose Garden, Civic Center

DULUTH, Minn. — At least 50 people arrived at the Duluth Rose Garden during the 7 o’clock hour Thursday evening.

The pro-Palestine protesters were making their voices heard for the second day in a row there.

The crowd Thursday was much larger than last night’s demonstration.

Earlier in the day Thursday, the city of Duluth put out a warning that parks close at 10 p.m., and camping and tents are not allowed per city ordinance.

The scene Thursday evening did not involve tents, as were erected there the night before.

“The people who are here can no longer accept the reality that since October 34,000 Palestinians have been killed by bombs made and paid for by U.S. companies, and paid for by our taxes, paid for with our money. So the question of ‘what will this do?’ I think the better question is ‘what can we each do, when we see injustice?’ That’s what’s bringing all of us who are here tonight out here in the rain,” explained Rachel Steinberg, organizer of the Duluth Palestine Solidarity Camp.

The group said they welcomes visitors to the Rose Garden who align with their demands that the city and state divest and boycott Israel.

Meanwhile, FOX 21 checked back in on an encampment in the Civic Center courtyard in Duluth Thursday after police on Wednesday told the organizers they needed to remove the two tents.

Those two tents remained.  Demonstrators there today said the want the United States to stop providing weapons and other support to the Israelis. They also want the two sides to agree to a ceasefire and to release hostages.

“If we don’t bring attention to this, especially with the United States participation with the funding and stuff, the war might as well be here because we’re fighting it,” said Keitin Schmitz, a protester.

Schmitz said the group and its members are committed to their cause, and in his words, “they will be here for as long as it takes.”

The city of Duluth reminded protesters that city parks close between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

“Individuals who are found in the parks during prohibited hours, engaging in camping, placing tents, or engaging in other prohibited conduct will be cited or directed to leave. Individuals who persist in unlawful behavior after being cited may be subject to removal,” the city said in a statement Thursday morning.