Hundreds of residents of Marawi City organized a “solidarity run” in Marawi City on March 27 to show support for the Palestinian people after Israel unilaterally scrapped the ceasefire and resumed bombing Gaza.

The activity began around 9 in the evening, after the Taraweh prayers. A short program was held at Rizal Park, referred to as “Ground Zero.” The MeRunNow Runners Community called for participants through various accounts on Tiktok and Instagram.

Runners, activists, and supporters gathered to deliver their message of solidarity and resistance. Led by barefoot runners, they echoed the calls “Free Palestine” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” in what was once a vibrant community.

To this day, Marawi residents have not returned to Ground Zero. The site still bears buildings bombed during the former Rodrigo Duterte regime, reminiscent of destroyed structures in Gaza. They called the area a “harrowing reminder of the shared suffering of the Palestine people and the Marawi residents.”

“Just like Gaza and the West Bank, Marawi City experienced devastation due to war—its people displaced, its homes turned to rubble, and its community struggling to rebuild,” an activity organizer said.

They said the Marawi people understand the suffering of the Palestinian people on a “personal level.” Running barefoot in a city ravaged by war symbolizes their shared suffering with the Palestinian people.

The Palestine Ministry of Health reported that Israel’s Zionist state bombings have killed around 900 since March 18. It estimates that more than 61,000 Palestinians have been killed in these relentless bombings since October 2023.