Boston Stands in Outrage Against the Massacre in Gaza

There have been frequent demonstrations in Boston since the start of the vicious assault on Gaza, but most of them have attracted people in their hundreds. Last night, Tuesday July 22, we met in a main downtown plaza, Copley Square, for a rally and march, sponsored by about ten different organizations. It was much bigger than most Boston protests – probably around 2,500 or 3,000 people.

And it went on so much longer than other demos. I believe we all felt the relief, even comfort, of being together, of abandoning our computer monitors, our telephones, our televisions in the isolated vigils we have all been conducting in our own homes and workplaces, watching with frustration and horror as this massacre befalls Gaza. We have all felt impotent, that once again our good will and good wishes, our community organizing, our boycotts and sanctions, have failed to protect the people of Gaza from the murderous wrath of Israel.

When I arrive at Copley Square, I have a moment of confusion. Instead of seeing “my” crowd of protestors on the steps of the main library, there are perhaps 1,000 supporters of Israel waving Israeli flags. Our group, I quickly see, are massing on the far side of the block-long square. The counter- demonstrators have signs like, “Israel has the right to self-defense” and “Hamas kills children.” As one friend pointed out, despite thousands of hand-made signs among our fellow protestors, not one even mentions Hamas. What are these Israel-supporters thinking of?

We gather on the steps of the Trinity Church for speeches most of us cannot hear over our own chanting. The pro-Israel group approaches and tries to out-yell us, but there is no way. The feelings among us are deep and loud. We march through the main streets of Boston, the police closing the roads – we have no permit – and apparently holding back the counter-demo. It is hot and humid and a long way – but people of every age and level of mobility march with the energy born of solidarity and pain. Four seniors link arms to physically assist one of them who limps heavily.

I am holding my home-made sign: "Another Jew Against the Brutal Occupation of Palestine." Again and again, people come over to take my picture, to bless me, many of them Arabs, astonished by the notion of a Jew opposing Israel. I am one of many, many Jews at this demonstration.  

At the State House, we rally again and then some people lay down in a pre-planned die-in, wearing the names of murdered Gazans. The organizers send the majority of demonstrators down to the Boston Commons, where I watch them chant and talk for another two hours. I stay up on the street where it is revealed that the die-in is an act of civil disobedience. The police, however, continue to keep their distance. When more than four hours have passed since the start of the action and darkness is settling on us, I head home, so grateful that we are able to come together to bear witness against injustice, as we have unhappily had to do for decades and as we will continue to do in the days ahead.

All photos by Barry Hock

For those interested, here is the list of sponsoring organizations:
Sponsors of the rally and march Included: Boston University Students for Justice in Palestine; Jewish Voice for Peace Boston; Boston College Students for Justice in Palestine; Boston BDS; Grassroots International; United for Justice with Peace; International Socialist Organization – Boston; Boston Feminists For Liberation; Northeastern University Students for Justice in Palestine; Boston Coalition for Palestinian Rights ;First Baptist Church in Jamaica; Boston Alliance for Water Justice ;National Lawyers Guild, Suffolk Law; Palestinian House; Jewish Rabbis Opposing Zionist Occupation of Palestine & Colonization & Persecution of Palestinians.