DEARBORN — On Sunday, April 6, about 400 people gathered at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center to commemorate the 38th anniversary of the Palestinian Land Day. 

The annual event is observed worldwide on Mar. 30 in remembrance of the protests that occurred in Israel and the Palestinian territories almost four decades ago. 

In 1976, protests were held in response to a plan by Israel to seize more Palestinian land. Six Palestinians were killed in the peaceful demonstrations. 

The event also featured a short enactment depicting the daily struggles Palestinians endure under the occupation and at checkpoints in the West Bank.

Dr. Salman Abu Sitta, a longtime Palestinian activist and former member of Palestine National Council, was the keynote speaker. 

A previous Land Day commemoration organized by the Palestine Aid Society took place at St. Mary’s Cultural Center in Livonia on Sunday, March 30. 

The most recent Land Day commemoration was held by the American Arab Women`s Community Network (AAWCN), Palestine Cultural Office and American Muslims for Palestine. 

The event was also supported by many Palestinian doctors, activists and businesses from around Michigan.   

Dr. Daad Katato, the president of the AAWCN, said Palestinians not only believe that Palestine will eventually be granted statehood, but that they will return to their homeland. 

Abu Sitta discussed how the 1948 creation of the state of Israel caused the expulsion of 750,000 Palestinians from their homeland. Palestinians’ exile is known as  the Al-Nakba, which means catastrophe in Arabic. 

The annual commemoration of Al-Nakba is approaching and will take place in May. 

Katato says over the last few years the Palestinian cause has gained momentum in universities around the country and abroad.