Thousands of Jewish-American peace activists and their allies—some 4,000-5,000 at its height, first-hand observers estimate—protested in Washington, D.C. today, demanding the U.S. Congress and the Biden administration insist on an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Palestine war, and open Gaza to humanitarian aid. The protesters expressed deep moral outrage at the genocide being perpetrated in the name of “supporting Israel.” Many signs and banners denouncing Israeli apartheid and genocide, along with signs denouncing U.S. military support for this genocide, were waved and carried aloft in the rally and march. “Not in my name!” was a constant theme.
The protest, organized by two Jewish peace activist organizations, If Not Now and Jewish Voice for Peace, began with a rally on the Mall in front of the Capitol, followed by a march and rally which blocked the streets in front of the Congressional Cannon and Longworth House Office Buildings. It was the sit-in by some 350-500 activists who then occupied the rotunda of the Cannon building which was reported around the world, including in Israel’s Haaretz.
Wearing t-shirts with “Not in My Name” on the front and “Jews Say Ceasefire Now!” on the back, many wearing yarmulkes, others prayer shawls, the protesters held big banners reading “CEASEFIRE,” chanted, sang and prayed, grieving for the lives lost, but with the message “we refuse to turn our grief into rage.” A large sign urged: “Mourn the Dead and Fight Like Hell for the Living.” Organizers reported that two dozen rabbis were among those participating.
