Cross-Community Activism in New York: Jewish Community Takes to the Streets in Unprecedented Solidarity with Gaza
In a momentous display of cross-community activism, large crowds from New York’s Jewish community took to the streets last Friday, protesting against what they call the ‘genocide’ in Gaza. Under the banner “Not In Our Name,” demonstrators assembled peacefully in Times Square, and later, hundreds more gathered in Brooklyn, organized by the group “Jewish Voice for Peace.”
Demonstrators supporting Gazans and Israelis faced off near Times Square in the sort of event that is a New York staple-Source: The New York Times
| Location | Organizer | Key Message | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Times Square | Independent | Protest against Israeli airstrikes in Gaza | Hundreds |
| Brooklyn | Jewish Voice for Peace | Advocate for Palestinian rights | About 1000 |
While the gatherings may have gone unnoticed in ordinary times, the days leading to the protests were marked by an undercurrent of palpable tension. Rumors had incited widespread anxiety across the city, still grappling with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that has claimed thousands of civilian lives. The events in New York highlight the city’s climate of trepidation, brought on by a conflict thousands of miles away.
Amir Fattah, a 31-year-old Palestinian-American from Staten Island, summed up the collective sorrow, stating, “All we have are our tears.” He chose not to inform his family about his participation due to concerns for their wellbeing.
The march in Brooklyn started with prayers and proceeded to the home of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, calling on the U.S. government to intervene for a ceasefire. Morgan Paseches, one of the organizers from Jewish Voice for Peace, told the crowd, “As Jews living in New York, we are here to say, ‘Not In Our Name’. Lives have been lost on both Israeli and Palestinian sides.”
Massive crowd of Jewish New Yorkers assembling to refuse US backed Israeli attacks on Gaza. Not in our name! No #GazaGenocide pic.twitter.com/fPaNGznMv2
— Rafael Shimunov (@rafaelshimunov) October 13, 2023
Signs reading “Jews Against Apartheid” and “Descendants of Holocaust Survivors Against Israeli Apartheid” were notably visible, along with chants such as “No more arms for Israel.”
In a poignant moment, Louisa Solomon, a rabbinical student from Queens, brought her two children, Rosie, 6, and Robin, 4, to the protest. She said she wants to teach them “the kind of Judaism I want to lead, where we oppose genocide and support a better future.”
While the gatherings were generally peaceful, social media posts had falsely warned of a terrorist attack planned in Times Square to coincide with the protest. This added to the sense of urgency, prompting some companies to suggest remote work and Mayor Eric Adams to increase patrols around synagogues and mosques.
The events reflect an increasing concern not just internationally but also domestically, as New Yorkers from different communities stand in solidarity, demanding peace and justice in a conflict that has global repercussions.
