In a powerful demonstration of solidarity and a plea for peace, hundreds of protesters, many representing the Jewish Voice for Peace organization, convened on Monday outside the iconic Statue of Liberty, calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Gaza Strip. The protest, captured on social media, displayed passionate activists seated at the statue’s base, chanting the poignant phrase, “Never again for anyone, never again is now,” echoing a rallying cry that resonates from the aftermath of the Holocaust.
On the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty, brave protesters unfurled banners that read “Ceasefire Now!” and “The Whole World is Watching,” further emphasizing the urgency of their message. This powerful demonstration follows similar actions undertaken by the Jewish Voice for Peace at Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan and the Canon House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, underscoring the organization’s unwavering commitment to peace. The demonstration brought together an impressive gathering of 500 people who joined their voices in demanding an end to the violence in Gaza.
One of the key driving forces behind this demonstration is the Jewish Voice for Peace’s vocal opposition to the Israeli government’s policies concerning Palestinians, which they view as a form of apartheid. The group emphasized the shared yearning for freedom, stating, “Just like Palestinians, so many of our ancestors yearned to breathe free.” This sentiment alludes to the timeless words inscribed in bronze on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty, harking back to the 19th-century Jewish activist poet Emma Lazarus.
As the protest unfolded, organizers and the U.S. Park Police, responsible for patrolling Liberty Island, provided no information about potential arrests stemming from the demonstration, leaving the outcome uncertain.
This demonstration coincided with a grim update from health authorities in Gaza, controlled by Hamas, indicating that the death toll from Israeli strikes in the Palestinian enclave had surpassed a staggering 10,000, with more than 4,000 of the victims being children. The mounting international pressure for a cessation of hostilities on both sides of the conflict found a powerful advocate in UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who described the blockaded territory as a “graveyard for children.”
The recent wave of violence between Israelis and Palestinians erupted on October 7 when Iranian-backed Hamas militants launched a surprise cross-border attack in southern Israel from Gaza, resulting in the loss of approximately 1,400 lives, the majority of whom were civilians. Additionally, over 240 individuals were taken hostage during these harrowing events.
In retaliation and with a vow to dismantle Hamas, the Israeli military unleashed an unprecedented barrage of airstrikes on Gaza, followed by a ground offensive into the densely populated coastal enclave. Both Israel and the Hamas militants controlling Gaza have thus far rejected calls for a ceasefire, perpetuating a dire situation on the ground.
As the world watches, the Statue of Liberty, a symbol of hope and freedom, served as a backdrop to this moving demonstration, where activists of all backgrounds and beliefs united to advocate for an end to the suffering in Gaza. The message was clear: it’s time for peace, and it’s time for change.
