Atlanta journalists announce vigil honoring press killed in Israel-Hamas war

Credit: Pexels

A group of Atlanta-based journalists and local press are coming together to hold a vigil for the news workers killed in the middle east since the Israel-Hamas war began Oct. 7.

More than 18,000 people have died in the conflict in Israel and Gaza, including at least 63 members of the media. The Committee to Protect Journalists reports this has been the deadliest month for journalists since they began tracking in 1992.

Journalist and event organizer Sophia Qureshi said the vigil is about remembering the people who were killed.

“Our goal for the vigil is simply to create a safe space for the journalism community here in Atlanta to mourn the overwhelming and unprecedented number of deaths of fellow journalists and media workers who have been killed in the Israel-Gaza war since Oct. 7,” she said.

As of Dec. 8, 56 Palestinian, four Israeli, and three Lebanese journalists have died reporting on the conflict and several others have been injured or arrested. The vigil will be a silent event open to the public. Attendees are expected to wear black. It will be held on Saturday afternoon at Freedom Park starting at 4:30 p.m.