Pro-Palestinian activists hold 'die-in' at Chicago City Hall to protest Boeing

CHICAGO, July 30 (UPI) -- Supporters of Palestine gathered at Chicago City Hall Wednesday, where they pretended to die en masse to protest aircraft maker Boeing's involvement in the city's Air & Water Show.

Boeing, a major sponsor of Chicago's annual air show over Lake Michigan, manufactures F-15 fighter jets, Apache helicopters and Hellfire missiles, in addition to other weaponry purchased from America and used by the Israel Defense Forces.

Since the IDF began attempting to curb Hamas' influence in the region through military strikes on the Gaza Strip, over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed.

"As human rights continue to be trampled in occupied Palestine, it is imperative that the global community refuse to reward this campaign of terror and destruction," the Palestine Solidarity Activists wrote in a statement.

"Boeing weaponry is responsible for many of the over 1000 dead and more than 6000 seriously wounded Palestinians in Gaza in the past three weeks. The dead are mostly civilians, including over 200 children. Israel's F15 fighter jets and Apache helicopters are made by Boeing. Boeing has made billions from the sale of weapons for use in Israel's attacks, as part of its eight year old siege of Gaza."

This is the third protest against Boeing in recent days, as Jewish Voice for Peace and Queers Against Israeli Apartheid came together Monday morning to hold a similar "die-in" on the street outside of Boeing Defense, Space and Security near Seattle. The same day, humanitarian activists in Chicago "died" in front of the Tribune Building to protest Boeing and those they view as benefiting from the recent violence in Gaza.

Boeing officials have yet to comment on the latest demonstration.

Chicago anti war activists stage die in at City Hall pic.twitter.com/FwWbW8RUyL

— Progress Illinois (@progressIL) July 30, 2014

"Die in" in Chicago demanding Israeli weapon suppiler Boeing be dropped as air & water show sponser #GazaUnderAttack pic.twitter.com/bJ69BnNhTu

— m_x (@soit_goes) July 30, 2014

Protesters stage a "die-in"outside Tribune Tower in Chicago on20/7(Tess Scheflan / ActiveStills) #GazaUnderAttack pic.twitter.com/ILP5t1YXjf

— Nariman Nagui (@NarimanNagy) July 28, 2014