A whole lot of demonstrators staged a sit-in in entrance of the Statue of Liberty in New York on Monday afternoon to demand a ceasefire in Gaza.
About 500 members and supporters Jewish Voice for Peace – New York City The JVP-NYC waved flags and banners and sang pro-peace songs, in accordance with a spokesman for the group.
Amongst these in attendance was photographer, artist and activist Nan Goldin, who advised the viewers: “So long as the individuals of Gaza are screaming, we have to scream louder, regardless of who tries to silence us.”
The protest got here on the identical day that the Palestinian Ministry of Well being introduced that the variety of Palestinians killed since October 7 in Gaza had exceeded 10,000. Greater than 1,400 Israelis have been killed through the Hamas assault on Israel that sparked the most recent battle and the taking of greater than 200 hostage. On each side, the vast majority of victims are civilians.
This was additionally the second mass demonstration organized by the group previously 10 days in New York Metropolis. On October 27, tons of of demonstrators gathered carrying black T-shirts bearing pro-ceasefire messages At Grand Central Station.
Sarah Kocher, spokeswoman for JVP-NYC, stated the Statue of Liberty was a symbolic location for Monday’s march.
“The Statue of Liberty greeted my ancestors as they escaped pogroms. Whereas it’s a image of refuge for my household, I’m painfully conscious that america denied entry to Jewish refugees all through the Holocaust,” she stated.
“From Ellis Island to Gaza, ‘by no means once more’ means by no means once more – to anybody.”
The tempo of protests demanding a ceasefire in Gaza has elevated in latest days. On Saturday, tens of 1000’s participated in a pro-Palestinian march in Washington, D.C., whereas others marched in New York, Seattle and several other different cities.
Joe Biden’s steadfast assist for Israel through the battle might show expensive on the poll field when the president seeks a second time period subsequent 12 months, stated Nihad Awad, nationwide govt director on the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
He stated: “The language that President Biden and his get together perceive is the language of votes.”
Our message is: no ceasefire, no vote. He added: “No votes in Michigan, no votes in Arizona, no votes in Georgia, no votes in Nevada, no votes in Wisconsin, and no votes in Pennsylvania,” enumerating the swing states essential to Biden’s hopes of remaining within the White Home.