Hundreds gathered at Sheffield Town Hall today to call for solidarity with the people of Palestine and Lebanon, following a gathering outside Sheffield train station Friday evening.

The march began at Endcliffe Park, where families arrived at 12pm, with children having their faces painted before the march set off at 12:30pm. 

Protesters marched through the city, arriving at Sheffield Town Hall at 2pm for a brief rally, where speakers addressed the crowd. 

After the rally, families headed to Pound’s Park for their children to play together.

Judy Stewart, 76, a safety steward for the march, said, “We’re supporting Gaza in every way we can, so that somehow they know that they’re not alone.

“We will do this as long as we need.”

Maddi Shrimpling, 25, who has been attending protests since October 7th last year, said, “I don’t understand how it can possibly just keep getting worse and worse.

“You can join the event no matter where you come from; the amount of different ethnicities, different races, backgrounds, like everybody’s here, just having conversations with people, even just a smile, makes you feel we are in this together.” 

She also explained: “It’s great that this is happening today, and the national demonstration in London, of course. I mean, it’s just awesome that cities and towns across the country are doing it at the same time.” 

Rose Mackonochie, 25, said: “We just want to keep showing up, and that’s how we’re going to show solidarity with the Middle East – by showing up and showing them that we’re still here on stand.” 

Volunteers said they plan to march every Friday to show their continued solidarity to Palestine and Lebanon.