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People gather in Portland for vigil and sit-in to support those Gaza

Demonstrators were outside on the square from 6 p.m. Friday until 6 p.m. Saturday.

PORTLAND, Maine — A handful of people met in Longfellow Square in Portland from Friday night into Saturday for a vigil and sit-in to support the people of Gaza. 

Demonstrators were outside on the square from 6 p.m. Friday until 6 p.m. Saturday. 

The group claims the goal was to fast and stay awake for a full 24 hours to signify the "dark reality" civilians in Palestine are facing. 

The demonstration comes just as humanitarian aid crossed between Egypt and Gaza on Saturday. It's the first aid since Israel sealed off the border following Hamas' terrorist attacks two weeks ago. 

Along with demonstrative signs, the group offered resources and fliers for passersby to learn more on the stance. 

RELATED: Egypt's border crossing opens to let a trickle of desperately needed aid into besieged Gaza

The group was not affiliated with a specific organization or campaign. And because of anonymity requests, people who chose to speak with NEWS CENTER Maine did not want to share their last names. 

"A personal concept that I'm here for is to sort of delineate Palestinians from Hamas, which is being viewed as a terrorist organization because I believe that that kind of devalues Palestinian lives to flatten them into one category," Zoe, one of the demonstrators there, said. 

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