SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Two events were held in Sacramento to remember the lives lost during the Israel-Hamas war. Monday marks one year since the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel.
The separate events were held at the same time Monday just blocks apart from each other. One was a memorial at the State Capitol put on by the Jewish Federation of the Sacramento Region.
"We gather and we remember our loved ones," said Mariela Socolovski. the federation's CEO. "That's from where we draw the strength and the resilience, from being in community."
Another event was held at Cesar Chavez Plaza by the Sacramento Regional Coalition for Palestinian Rights. At the vigil, they lit candles to mourn the lives taken during the conflict.
"We're here today in grief and in outrage that this genocide is continuing after one year," said Maggie Coulter with the Sacramento Regional Coalition for Palestinian Rights. "Billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars are being spent to support Israel in its war crimes."
At the Capitol event, groups raised awareness about the hostage situation abroad and called for their safe return.
Christians United for Israel stood in solidarity with the Jewish community there.
“The war would probably come to a screeching halt if Hamas would surrender and these hostages would be returned. Israel wants peace," said Randy Neal, the senior director of engagement for Christians United for Israel.
At Cesar Chavez Plaza, groups there called for a ceasefire in Gaza and an arms embargo on Israel. Members of Jewish Voice for Peace were also there.
"A lot happened before Oct. 7. There's been well over 100 years of oppression, dispossession, displacement of the native Palestinian people in Palestine," said David Mandel, a member of Jewish Voice for Peace.
While their messages are different, attendees at both events called for an end to the violence.
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