By Gray Trammel
“Kick Israel out of FIFA!” echoed loudly through the streets nearby Seattle’s Lumen Field as thousands of fans headed towards the stadium on June 26 to watch the World Cup match between Iran and Egypt. Some stopped to watch a makeshift 3-v-3 soccer game, dubbed the “People’s Football Match,” hosted by organizers like Hands Off Iran Coalition and Nidal as an act of protest against FIFA, to bring communities together to reclaim football as being for the people, and to stand in solidarity with Iranians, Palestinians, and Lebanese people in opposition to U.S. and Israeli violence.
“While Palestinians in Gaza continue to endure U.S.-Israeli genocide and survive without basic food, water, healthcare, and education, FIFA plans to construct on top of the rubble in Gaza— aiming to raise $75 million for the projects,” read a flyer that Hands Off Iran Coalition members were passing out.
About 400 were in attendance, and some passers-by joined in on chants that included, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!” and “Free, free Palestine!” Demonstrators waved Palestinian flags, pride flags and a Transgender pride flag that said “Trans rights are human rights.” Other banners displayed slogans like “People Over Profit.”
A counterprotest also formed outside the stadium with approximately 40 people; Some waved Israeli flags, alongside the Lion and Sun flag, a symbol which is associated with Iran’s pre-1979 monarchy. They chanted “Long live Israel!” and “Palestinians are terrorists!” At the end of the protest, a counter protester shouted after the group was walking away, “Tell them to go to Palestine, they’ll kill them for protesting.”
Later in the evening, a pro-Israel counter protester rushed onto the makeshift 3-on-3 soccer field, disrupting the “People’s Football Match.” Carrying a megaphone, the counter protester chanted “The Islamic Republic is a terrorist organization!” as he repeatedly attempted to reenter the protest area, but determined to keep the match alive, demonstrators formed a human barrier while holding up sheets and banners to keep the counter protester out of the area as they argued with him. Seattle police officers later positioned themselves between the counter protester and demonstrators as the confrontation continued. An estimated 35 Seattle police officers were deployed during the protest, and no arrests were observed.
Despite these interruptions, the game beyond the gates saw mass success in bringing community together through the love of soccer, while spreading awareness about FIFA’s ties to genocide.
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