A vigil to honor the hundreds of journalists who lost their lives while covering the conflict in Gaza was held in Freedom Park on Saturday night. Many of the attendees were dressed in all-Black for the somber occasion. Many others brought flowers.
The names on one-sheets lying on a white sheet may not be familiar to many – Assen Kamal Moussa, Muhmammad Al-Zaq, Yahya Munir Asaad Subeih- but they were local and international journalists and media members covering what was once the world’s number one news story. There have been other breaking news stories and mass shootings to cover since the conflict in Gaza began more than a year ago, but the people, mostly men, due mostly because of the archaic rules of the Middle East, have not been forgotten by fellow journalists here in Atlanta.
“You only target and kill journalists when your enemy is the truth,” said independent journalist and one of the evening’s speakers, Fiza Pirani. “I have been shaking for days trying to come up with the right remarks for this vigil.”
Alongside Pirani was Adam Horowitz, a journalist at the news site, Mondoweiss, and other speakers who read letters, notes, and participated in the reading of all 274 names of the fallen.
During the vigil, people could be seen hugging, wiping tears from their faces, and filming for social media. Several journalist were on hand to cover the vigil for their respective outlets.
Others were there to pay their respects. One woman’s handbag read, “Grandmothers for Peace,” and another man’s black t-shirt had the words, “Jews Say Stop” in large white letters.
What looked like an enlarged bereavement card in the shape of a banner was being signed by mourners sitting in the grass. Up against a tree, a cap and a small handbag had the word “Press” on them.
“We have seen bloodied press helmets and vests,” Pirani said of the violence in the Middle East and in particular in Gaza.
A slight rain began to fall as the last names were read.
