Protesters take to the streets of San Francisco on the eve of the October 7 attacks

SAN FRANCISCO – Protesters took to the streets of San Francisco on Sunday demanding an end to Israel's war against Hamas, a year after deadly Hamas attacks that killed 1,200 people in Israel and Israel's retaliation.

“We are here today to honor one year of genocide!” one of the few speakers shouted into a microphone.

Lujain Al-Saleh, a member of the Arab Resource and Organizing Center in San Francisco, told KTVU she has lost 11 family members in Gaza since last October.

“One of my family members was a journalist who was killed in his home on October 22,” Al-Saleh said. “He was having breakfast with his family and was killed in an airstrike.”

The Associated Press reports that around 42,000 Palestinians have lost their lives since October 7.

“We mourn for all those who have lost their lives, and we are also here to fight for those who are still alive and could be saved,” said Alice Robinson, a member of Jewish Voice for Peace.

San Francisco police stood guard nearby. According to the authority, over 1,500 demonstrators were present.

Protesters filled the streets of Valencia and 16th Street around 1 p.m. Sunday before marching several blocks through the Mission District to spread their message.

Their demands include no more US arms to Israel, an end to attacks in Gaza and the release of Palestinian political prisoners.

“This banner is almost like a prayer for this madness to stop,” said Mona Caron, the artist behind a banner carried by a protester filled with buried hearts. “I tried to convey the feeling of somehow thinking about all these deaths into an image.”

Organizers say protests will continue until their demands are met.