SEATTLE — A day after a 26-year-old American woman was fatally shot while demonstrating against settlements in the West Bank, hundreds gathered in Westlake Park and marched the streets of Seattle.
Aysenur Ezgi Eygi was a recent University of Washington graduate. Community members mourning the loss of their own came together to call for justice during a “protest for peace” march.
“She was our sister, she was a loved one that the community loved, and this protest she was a pillar a foundation of this protest and this movement for peace for the Palestinians,” said Aziz Junejo, who knew Eygi.
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Dedicated, strong, and passionate were all words used to describe Eygi. Those who knew her said they will continue to honor her and everything she stood for.
“She was a brilliant, passionate, kind soul who was deeply dedicated to justice and peace and willing to put everything on the line. she was an inspiration to all of us,” said Melissa Chaudhry, knew Eygi.
In the West Bank, Eygi was attending a weekly demonstration against settlement expansion when she was shot by Israeli soldiers, witnesses told The Associated Press.
“We speak about wanting to do something she was actually over there facing the tyrant herself and I can’t think of a better legacy to leave behind,” an activist said during the march.
UW President Ana Mari Cauce released a statement Friday afternoon confirming Eygi was a recent graduate, adding that Eygi was “a peer mentor in psychology who helped welcome new students to the department and provided a positive influence in their lives.”
People chanted and called for justice for the 26-year-old’s death.
“As Seattlies we have to know she was our daughter, she was the daughter of this city, and we have to stand up for her and do something about what she was standing for,” said Junejo.
Those at the march said she will always be an important part of this community and say they will not stop fighting for peace in the Middle East.
