Hundreds of American Jews to Biden: “No Money for Massacre”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 7, 2024
Contact:
press@ifnotnowmovement.org
Hundreds of American Jews to Biden: “No Money for Massacre”
Celebrity Eric Andre joins LA protest, dozens arrested in Boston as American Jews protest around the country ahead of President Biden’s State of the Union to renew their call for a lasting ceasefire and hostage exchange and to halt weapons transfers to Israel.
High quality photos and videos available upon request.
Nationwide — In Boston, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and Philadelphiathis week, American Jews and their allies sat shiva — the Jewish grieving period — to mourn the Palestinians and Israelis killed since October and protested to demand a lasting ceasefire, hostage exchange, and to halt weapons transfers for Israel’s massacre of Palestinians in Gaza. This wave of protests comes as the Israeli military has killed over 30,000 Palestinians, the vast majority of them civilians, and continues to blockade necessities like food, water, and medicine from entering Gaza, putting the majority of Gazans at risk of starvation and disease.
IfNotNow national spokesperson Eva Borgwardt said, “It’s time for President Biden to do what he should have done months ago: push for an immediate and lasting ceasefire and hostage exchange, halt weapons transfers to the Israeli military, and demand that the Israeli government allow a surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza. As long as he continues to do everything except take these commonsense and essential actions, American Jews will continue protesting in the streets and in the halls of power.”
In Boston, 50+ Jewish and allied activists were arrested as they protested President Biden’s continued unconditional funding for Israel’s genocidal assault on Gaza. IfNotNow Boston member Max Davis has voted for a Democratic candidate in every presidential primary before this one — but this past Tuesday, he was one of the more than 60,000 Massachusetts voters who marked "No Preference" on their ballots. “The president can save thousands of lives and get back in step with voters. It’s the right thing to do on all levels, and we'll be listening”
In Los Angeles, IfNotNow LA activists were joined by celebrities Eric Andre and Sandy Hoenig to hang banners over the 110 freeway that read “Lasting Ceasefire for Palestinians & Israelis.” IfNotNow LA leader Leo Shaffer said, "We gathered today to demand that Biden call for a ceasefire, and that no more US money go toward enabling massacres. As American Jews, we hold that human life is sacred, and demand that the killing stops immediately. We chose a location near the Los Angeles DNC offices to make it clear to the DNC and Biden Administration that American Jews are part of the majority that want a ceasefire now."
In Chicago, where a multi-faith coalition is holding an interfaith, multiracial alternative State of the Union, IfNotNow Chicago leader Aaron Neiderman said, “Biden is addressing the nation without listening to his public and, as he speaks, the death toll rises in Gaza. Just last week the Israeli military opened fire on crowds of starving Palestinians waiting for aid. We demand a permanent ceasefire and an end to this genocidal war.”
In New York, Jewish activists held a shiva protesting a conference honoring Trump advisor Jared Kushner hosted by the Anti-Defamation League, imploring the organization to “side with humanity” and to end its anti-Palestinian racism. In Philadelphia, activists affiliated with IfNotNow Philly sat shiva at the Liberty Bell, calling on President Biden to end his support for Israel’s assault on Gaza and to reaffirm his commitment to “liberty for all."
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IfNotNow is a movement of American Jews organizing our community to end U.S. support for Israel's apartheid system and demand equality, justice, and a thriving future for all Palestinians and Israelis.
