Hundreds participated in the “Rise Up for Gaza” demonstration throughout downtown Boston on Sunday for International Day of Action.
The demonstration, organized by the Boston Coalition for Palestine, took place on 1 Washington St. — the new location of the Israeli Consulate.
The protest intended “to show that the people of Boston stand with Gaza,” calling for a “total arms embargo and sanctions against Israel,” according to BCFP.
Activists from multiple organizations gave speeches on the conflict in Gaza.
“Evict the Israeli war criminals now,” said Steve Gillis, a writer for Workers World Party and former president of Boston School Bus Drivers Union, in his speech.
Eli Gerzon, a member of the Jewish Voice for Peace and the Democratic Socialists of America, hoped the protest would motivate divestment from Israel in Massachusetts.
“We want to show that people are still mobilizing. People still care. People are demanding that our politicians listen to the people,” Gerzon said.
Gerzon criticized Gov. Maura Healey’s support for the Sheba Medical Center, an Israeli hospital which is expanding to Massachusetts.
“They’re complicit in the genocide. They participate, and our governor, Healy, is excited for them and supporting them,” Gerzon said of the Sheba Medical Center. “No more business with Israel. We have to end that.”
The demonstrations were mostly peaceful, with heavy cooperation from local police and a small handful of counter-protestors displaying the Israeli flag.
Amongst the counter-protesters was Philip Zeissig, who said he hoped his presence would show the “silent majority is against this Palestinian Free Palestine protest.”
Following the speeches in front of the consult, demonstrators marched through the financial district making stops to protest corporations like Tatte Bakery and Cafe, which was founded by an Israeli-born pastry chef. Along with Tatte, the demonstration continued in front of Shake Shack and Capital One Bank in the Seaport District — both also have chains operating in Israel.
The march concluded with a demonstration in front of the Boston Consulting Group in South Boston. Flyers were given to demonstrators and spectators during the final leg of the protest, which stated a series of demands for the BCG: “stop profiting from the genocide and ethnic cleansing” and “donate the money profited from the genocide to feed and rebuild Gaza.”
Jean Luc Pierite, board president of the North American Indian Center of Boston, said the United States’ current ceasefire proposal is “not a real solution” but is still “relieved for at least some pause to the violence.”
“Palestine needs to be given back to the people that have lived and died there,” Pierite said.
