TIME100 Honoree Motaz Azaiza Speaks on the Gaza Solidarity Encampments Taking Over U.S. Colleges

Motaz Azaiza spoke to TIME on the red carpet at this year’s TIME100 Gala in New York City. The Palestinian photojournalist is honored on this year’s list for his work showing the world what is going on in the Gaza Strip during the Israel-Hamas war. He spoke about the Gaza solidarity encampments that are popping up at universities in New York and across the country. He recently visited students at Columbia University and New York University and told TIME about the experience.

Azaiza says that he received an invitation to visit the campuses from the journalism schools at the universities. “It was great. I appreciate this, and I’m happy that students there would like to know more and educate themselves.” He continues, “It was an honor for me to raise awareness about what is going on in my country.”

Read More: Scenes from Pro-Palestinian Encampments Across U.S. Universities

In regards to using his platform on social media to raise awareness for what is going on in Gaza, he listed a couple things that he’d like people to know. “We are humans, we’re asking for and fighting for our freedom,” he says of the people of Palestine. “We are not animals, my people are getting killed, murdered, and starving. Struggling to find food, shelter, they are in the tents… people are really suffering. It’s now 200+ days of suffering and murdering people—civilians, most of them are women and children.”

He says that he lost over 100 of his colleagues due to the Israel-Hamas war. “Journalists should be protected everywhere in the world,” he tells TIME on the red carpet. “Journalists should not be afraid doing their work or threatened to be killed.” Azaiza ended his interview with TIME saying, “Free Palestine.”

The TIME100 Gala is TIME’s annual celebration of the TIME100 list of the world’s most influential people. The Gala brings together icons, leaders, change-makers, and celebrities from across industries and nations for one lively evening of meaningful dialogue and celebration. This year’s Gala features live performances from Dua Lipa and Fantasia Barrino, two honorees on the 2024 TIME100 list.

TIME is teaming up with ABC to bring viewers inside the exclusive TIME100 Gala with a special television event. TIME100: The World’s Most Influential People, produced in partnership with P&G, airs Sunday, May 12 at 10 p.m. EDT on ABC, and the next day on Hulu, featuring host Taraji P. Henson and appearances by Patrick Mahomes, Maya Rudolph, and more.

The TIME100 Gala was presented by Booking.com, Citi, Merck, Northern Data Group, Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch Whisky, and Verizon.