Hundreds of people, including politicians, activists and students, attended the demonstration held in Westlake Park in Seattle, Washington state. Along with photographs of Ayşenur Eygi, the demonstrators chanted slogans such as “Ayşenur Eygi became a martyr for Palestine, may she rest in peace”, “Justice for Ayşenur”, “Today we are all Ayşenur”, “Resistance is not terrorism! Free Palestine!” They carried banners and chanted anti-Israeli slogans. In this event where emotional moments were experienced, many candidates could not hold back their tears.
Imam Akram Baioumy from the Puget Sound Muslim Union, in his speech on the stage set up in Westlake Park where the show was held, stated that Ayşenur’s legacy is important to him and said, ” (Ayşenur) She is the motivation and inspiration for me being here today.” said Baioumy, referring to Ayşenur’s last meetings before her martyrdom. One of his last words was that we must do more.Today I want to ask all of you: Will we let Ayşenur’s words go in vain? No. Will we do everything within our means to carry forward his legacy and see a free Palestine? “Yes.” he said
Baioumy emphasized that Eygi should be proud of himself and said, ” Because he left a legacy that inspires us all. It motivated us all to keep going.” he said. He also stated that Eygi “confronted the tyrant” in Israel and said, ” I can’t think of a better legacy to leave behind in this world. I can’t think of anyone more victorious than Ayşe right now.“he said.
Protesters who watched the demonstration shared their feelings and thoughts with the AA reporter. Melissa Chaudhry, one of the candidates for the US Congress, stated that Ayşenur is a passionate advocate of peace and justice with a deep heart and said, ” It takes great courage to fight for compassion and principle these days, and he paid the ultimate price.” said Chaudhry, who could not control his tears. We know that the sniper rifle used to kill him was paid for with US money, specifically to target and kill him directly.That’s why I can’t accept this. “I hope my American friends cannot tolerate this either,” he said.
Chaudhry stated that Ayşenur sacrificed her life for justice and peace and said, ” We must honor his memory, carry it forward, and do what he asked us to do.” He said. Muhammad Zahid Chaudhry, a retired mental health specialist from the US army, also emphasized that Eygi wanted to reduce the suffering of humanity and said, ” I can’t believe what happened.“he said.
Imam Baioumy said in his statement after his speech on stage, ” (Eygi) has been fighting for the Palestinian cause for a long time. He helps those in need in society.He is very interested in the Muslim community and the goal of justice and peace in all things. So you constantly see her on the front lines for the oppressed,” he said. Baioumy stated that they were very sorry for the loss of Ayşenur and said, ” Let’s make no mistake about this. He didn’t just die accidentally. He was deliberately targeted. He was killed by Israeli forces.“he said.
Stating that this is not the first time, Baioumy said, ” (Eygi) is not the first US citizen to be killed by Israeli forces. Our leaders need to do something about this, and if they won’t do something about it, we’re going to have to do something.“The voice of the people will be heard, the voice of the people will shine, and we will replace you with leaders who will do something about it,” he said.
Ayşenur Eygi took an active role in solidarity movements supporting the rights of Palestinians. On September 6, Israeli soldiers opened fire on participants during a peaceful demonstration against the expansion of Palestinian lands captured by the Israelis in the occupied West Bank. Eygi, who participated in the demonstration in support of the Palestinians and has US citizenship, was shot in the head and seriously injured. Eygi, who was taken to a Palestinian hospital, could not be saved despite all interventions.
Eygi, who double majored in psychology and Middle Eastern languages at the University of Washington, was a human rights activist and volunteer with the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), who supported the Palestinians through peaceful and civil methods against the occupation of Palestinian lands byIsrael. US citizen Rachel Corrie, who was crushed to death by an Israeli bulldozer in 2003, was also a member of the same movement. Eygi’s martyrdom sparked outrage and demands for accountability in the local and international community. Born in Antalya in 1998, Eygi moved to Seattle with his family when he was less than a year old.
