HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. (WGN) – On the one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, events were held across Chicagoland to commemorate a dark day that marked the beginning of a prolonged period of unrest in the Middle East , including one in Highland Park.
On this day, 365 days ago, Hamas-led militants killed approximately 1,200 people and took at least another 250 hostage.
It is believed that around 100 are still held captive, but it is estimated that a third of them have probably been murdered.
On Sunday, many gathered in Highland Park for a memorial service at Port Clinton Square. Organized by Shamash – a group of North Shore residents who have organized vigils and marches calling for the release of hostages over the past 12 months – said they planned to unveil a temporary memorial in the nearby area.
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This followed a pro-Palestinian march just 24 hours earlier in downtown Chicago, where thousands gathered in the Gold Coast neighborhood to demand an end to the violence and US aid to Israel.
The pro-Palestinian march in Chicago was mirrored by several other large demonstrations around the world, including a demonstration in London that reportedly attracted more than 40,000 people.
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