“From the river to sea, Palestine will be free,” chanted an estimated 220 Philadelphians who marched from Rittenhouse Square to City Hall on October 8, at an emergency rally in solidarity with Palestine.

Despite a defamatory attack on Palestine Writes Literature Festival by some Zionist American Jewish organizations, the sold-out event proceeded more or less as planned, minus a few glitches. An estimated 1,300 attendees converged at the University of Pennsylvania to celebrate Palestinian literature and Palestinian writers at the weekend long event held from September 22-24.

In their new photo exhibit, “La La Lil Jidar: 20 Years Behind the Apartheid Wall in Palestine,” Philadelphia-based photographer Aisha Mershani (they/them) documents the devastating impact that Israel’s apartheid wall has had on Palestinian life since Israel began construction in 2002.

Beginning September 22nd, Palestinian writers from around the world are slated to converge in Philadelphia at Palestine Writes Literature Festival. For three days, the literature festival will host readings, dabka dance performances, crafting for kids, talks, and panel discussions at the University of Pennsylvania.

Just as first-generation immigrants struggle to access mental health services in the Philadelphia area, second-generation children of immigrants grapple with their own unique set of challenges

Rather than the persecution immigrants fled being a distinct moment in time, the ripple effects continue to follow them to the United States.