Demonstrators say they are using event as ‘educational moment for our fellow New Yorkers’
Hundreds gathered around Manhattan on Wednesday night, outside iconic locales like the Rockefeller Center, in support of the people of Palestine amid a truce between Israel and Hamas.
Outside the News Corp Building, there was an interfaith protest organized by Within Our Lifetime, a Palestinian-led community organization. A few blocks away, at Rockefeller Center, a starkly different scene was playing out: the 90th tree lighting ceremony where scores of people gather each year to witness the illumination of the 80ft-tall Norway spruce.
Nerdeen Kiswani, co-founder and leader of Within Our Lifetime, told the Guardian that the demonstration was in honor of the “International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People”.
“What better way to show solidarity today by going to the tree lighting, and using it as an educational moment to tell our fellow New Yorkers that we stand against genocide,” she said. “The Bethlehem municipality have called to suspend Christmas celebrations, and mourning for the ongoing genocide in Gaza, so we’ve joined with Muslim, Christian and Jewish groups, and community organizations – religious and otherwise – to say that we’re against our tax dollars being used to fund genocide.”
“Israel bombs, USA pays, how many kids did you kill today,” protesters chanted as tourists navigated the sidewalk. Despite the barricades blocking the perimeter of the building, which notably serves as the headquarters of Fox News and the New York Post, protesters flooded the street. The avenue was briefly closed as police attempted to gain control of the growing crowd. Later, several arrests were made after some protesters worked to lead the crowd towards the famed tree with a large Palestinian flag.
For nearly two hours, protesters led chants, waved Palestinian flags, and responded in outrage on Kiswani’s behalf as she told the crowd she had been called a “terrorist” just days earlier as a guest on Piers Morgan’s show, Uncensored, which films at News Corp. Kiswani also noted that she had been asked back to film a segment in the same building on Thursday morning.
“Instead, we brought the protest here,” she announced to fellow demonstrators to raucous applause.
The choice to hold the demonstration near the tree-lighting was not only so US citizens remember Palestinians as Christmas approaches, Kiswanisaid. She said that Within Our Lifetime was also pushing back against any perception that pro-Palestine protesters were “disruptors,” specifically citing Gen Z and Millennial activists who rail against “respectability”.
“We’re seeing younger people say things like, ‘No, we should go where the people are. We should go to the tree lighting,’” she continued. “We should go to the Thanksgiving Day parade. Why are we considered disruptors when this is also our city … when we’re a part of the fabric of society? We shouldn’t have to isolate ourselves or banish ourselves to some other corner of the city.”
Such a decision resonated with protester Janeth Gonda, who told the Guardian it was important that she brave the bitter cold and crowds to be present on Wednesday night.
“For me, the point of this tonight is the young kids coming to see the tree,” Gonda said. “If I was like, six years old and I saw this, this would impact me for the rest of my life in a really positive way. I think that’s what’s really special about showing up to things like this. And also, what else can I do? I have a voice. I need to use it.”
At last report, at least 13,000 Palestinians – mostly women and children – in Gaza had been killed, according to the Palestinian health authority in Ramallah, West Bank, which is governed by Fatah – rival to Hamas, which controls Gaza and its health services. Palestinian health authorities have stopped updating the death toll, saying they are no longer able to do so accurately.
Israeli officials have said Israel’s death toll stands at 1,200. Just after the protests on Wednesday evening, Israel’s military said their truce with Hamas would continue “in light of the mediators’ efforts to continue the process of releasing hostages, and subject to the terms of the agreement”.
Uptown, the Palestinian Youth Movement and more than 20 local co-sponsors including Jews Against White Supremacy and People’s Forum gathered for a vigil in Columbus Circle. A large group held candles and paid tribute to all those been killed in Gaza, including a number of young journalists. Layan Fuleihan, director of education at People’s Forum, noted that Gen Z and Millennials had consistently led actions like this vigil.
“I think there’s been so many crises that have given younger generations the experience that the system isn’t actually with them,” Fuleihan said. “With the uprisings after George Floyd, so many people were in the streets for the first time and were met with military-grade opposition. That changes a person, and it changes the way they think about their country. So, when their own government tells them they stand with Israel and they see what’s happening in Gaza … it’s not acceptable.”
Jay Saper, an organizer with Jewish Voice for Peace who helped lead the recent shutdown of the Manhattan Bridge, was at the vigil and echoed Fuleihan’s sentiments. They told the Guardian they have recently noted more support of all ages at pro-Palestine actions in New York City – especially on Wednesday evening.
“That people didn’t stay indoors, that they came out into the streets on a freezing night to take action … that I think speaks to how incredibly urgent it is for all of us to do everything that we can,” Saper said. “It feels so invigorating to see that intergenerational movement of peoples committed to taking action for justice.”
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