Honoring Resilience and Resistance: 5th Annual Palestinian Flag-Raising Ceremony in Chicago Commemorates Liberation and Self-Determination
Chicago, Illinois — May 16, 2026 — Community members, organizers, advocates, elected officials, and supporters from across Chicagoland gathered at Daley Plaza for the 5th Annual Palestinian Flag-Raising Ceremony hosted by the American Muslims for Palestine Chicago Chapter in commemoration of 78 years since the Nakba.
Held in the heart of downtown Chicago, the gathering served as a powerful demonstration of Palestinian visibility, resilience, remembrance, and solidarity. Attendees came together to honor Palestinian heritage and continue advocating for justice, dignity, and liberation for the Palestinian people.
The program featured remarks from prominent elected officials, scholars, and advocates, including Delia Ramirez, who spoke on the importance of remembering the Nakba and standing in solidarity with Palestinians facing ongoing displacement and violence. Human rights attorney, activist, and scholar Noura Erakat also addressed attendees, reflecting on the historical and contemporary realities of Palestinian struggle and resistance.
Illinois State Representative Abdelnasser Rashid shared personal reflections connected to his family’s history and spoke about the significance of preserving the memory of the Nakba across generations, while also discussing current policy priorities impacting Palestinian and Arab communities.
The organization also highlighted the growing targeting of Palestinian activists and advocates in the United States, including the detention of Milwaukee community leader Salah Sarsour. In a recent statement and Capitol Hill press conference, AMP and partnering organizations condemned what they described as the weaponization of the immigration system to silence Palestinian advocacy and political expression, calling for the immediate release of Sarsour and the protection of First Amendment rights for Palestinian, Muslim, and pro-Palestine voices across the country.
In its statement commemorating 78 years since the Nakba, American Muslims for Palestine underscored the importance of preserving historical memory and educating future generations about the realities of Palestinian displacement and dispossession. “The Nakba was not a singular event, but the climax of a process of colonization,” the organization stated, emphasizing that understanding Palestinian history is essential to understanding the ongoing struggle for justice, dignity, and human rights. AMP further stressed that remembrance serves not only as an act of honoring the past, but as a commitment to ensuring that Palestinian narratives, experiences, and demands for freedom are neither erased nor forgotten.
As Palestinians and allies gathered beneath the raised flag in downtown Chicago, the event stood as a reminder that Palestinian identity, history, and calls for justice continue to endure across generations and across borders.
The Muslim Civic Coalition is proud to stand alongside AMP Chicago and community members who continue uplifting Palestinian voices and preserve Palestinian identity through policy and education.
From Chicago to Palestine - every human deserves to live in freedom and dignity.