Pro-Palestinian protests in the U.S., organized by groups like Jewish Voice for Peace, have faced criticism and allegations of ties to terrorist organizations such as Hamas and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Some leaders of the movement have been accused of promoting rhetoric from these groups, while others argue for the right of occupied peoples to resist oppression. Samidoun, an international organization supporting Palestinian prisoners, has been labeled a terrorist organization by Israel and Germany due to alleged ties to the PFLP and Hamas. Despite concerns, civil rights experts emphasize that in the U.S., groups like Samidoun can express their views as long as they are not directly coordinating with designated terrorist organizations.
Over 100 protesters in Seattle blocked the University Bridge, calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Organized by Jewish Voice for Peace, similar protests took place in other cities across the country. Protesters criticized politicians like Patty Murray for not taking action and demanded President Biden's intervention. The demonstrators vowed to continue protesting until there is a resolution to the ongoing conflict.
Jewish Voice for Peace, a national Jewish group, organized protests in eight U.S. cities, including Washington and Philadelphia, demanding a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war on the eighth night of Hanukkah. Demonstrators blocked busy streets and bridges, causing traffic disruptions. Similar protests also took place in Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, Minneapolis, Seattle, and Portland. The United Nations has called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, where the conflict has led to pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli demonstrations in the United States.
Protesters from Jewish Voice for Peace blocked Portland's Burnside Bridge, lighting a 12-foot-tall menorah, to demand a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Demonstrators called attention to the destruction in Gaza and urged U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden to join Sen. Jeff Merkley in calling for a ceasefire from Israel. The conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in the deaths of over 18,000 Palestinians, leading to a humanitarian crisis and international outrage.
Over 30 protesters from Jewish Voice for Peace were arrested for blocking traffic on the westbound lanes of the Schuylkill Expressway in Center City Philadelphia. The group, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, hung banners on the Spring Garden Street Bridge before shutting down the highway. The protesters were eventually dispersed by Philadelphia and Pennsylvania State Police, and the road has since reopened.
Hundreds of protesters shut down a major intersection in Hollywood, calling for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip. The LAPD closed off streets and urged drivers to avoid the area. Some protesters wore sweatshirts with the message "JEWS SAY CEASE FIRE NOW." The demonstration, organized by Jewish Voice for Peace and IfNotNow, aimed to be one of the largest acts of civil disobedience in Los Angeles. In Washington, D.C., protesters outside the Democratic National Committee headquarters also called for a cease-fire, leading to the evacuation of members of Congress.
Jewish Voice for Peace led a protest at the Oakland Federal Building in California, calling for a cease-fire in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. Over 700 Bay Area Jews and allies participated in the demonstration, demanding an end to the bloodshed and the use of Jewish grief to perpetuate genocide. Law enforcement made arrests after demonstrators refused to vacate the area. The group is calling on President Biden and Vice President Harris to join Rep. Barbara Lee in calling for an immediate cease-fire. The protesters claim a link between Jewish and Palestinian safety and are urging U.S. officials to end aid to Israel.
Columbia University has suspended the far-left student groups Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) through the end of the fall term, citing repeated violations of university policies, including threatening rhetoric and intimidation. The suspension means the groups will not be eligible to hold events on campus or receive university funding. The university stated that the suspension will be lifted if the groups demonstrate a commitment to compliance with university policies and engage in consultations with university officials. The decision comes after the groups organized a walkout and made demands related to Israel's actions against Gaza.
Columbia University has suspended the far-left student groups Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) through the end of the fall term, citing repeated violations of university policies and an unauthorized event that included threatening rhetoric and intimidation. This comes after Brandeis University also banned SJP for its statements supporting Hamas. The suspension means the groups are not eligible to hold events on campus or receive university funding, and lifting the suspension will depend on their commitment to compliance with university policies. The decision has drawn both support and criticism, with pro-Israel voices applauding the move and pro-Palestinian voices denouncing it as censorship.
Columbia University has suspended its Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) chapters after the two groups held an unsanctioned event on campus that included threatening rhetoric and intimidation. The suspension means the groups will not be able to hold events on campus or receive university funding. The decision comes amid a rise in anti-Semitic incidents on campus and follows Florida Governor Ron DeSantis's executive action banning SJP from the state's university system.
Columbia University has suspended Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) as official student groups due to repeated violations of campus event policies, including an unauthorized event with threatening rhetoric and intimidation. The suspension means the groups cannot hold events on campus or receive funding, and it will be lifted only if they demonstrate compliance with university policies and engage in consultations with university officials. The university emphasizes the importance of community safety and the need for all student groups to abide by rules and cooperate with administrators.
Hundreds of protestors, including members of Jewish Voice for Peace-New York City, staged a sit-in demonstration at the Statue of Liberty demanding a ceasefire in Gaza. The protest coincided with the announcement that the number of Palestinians killed in Gaza since October 7th surpassed 10,000. This is the second mass demonstration in New York City by the group, with previous protests also calling for a ceasefire. Protests have been gathering pace across the United States, with tens of thousands attending pro-Palestinian rallies in Washington DC and other cities. Some activists have warned that President Biden's support for Israel during the conflict could impact his chances of re-election.
Over 400 people, including rabbis, actors, and elected officials, were arrested during a Jewish-led sit-in protest at New York City's Grand Central Station, demanding a ceasefire in Gaza. The protesters, organized by Jewish Voice for Peace, wore shirts saying "Not in Our Name" and "Ceasefire Now" and unfurled banners calling for freedom for Palestinians and an end to the violence. The demonstration, believed to be the largest sit-in protest in New York in over two decades, aimed to show solidarity with the people of Gaza and to urge the US government to take action for a ceasefire.
Over 300 pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested and issued court summonses after temporarily closing down Grand Central Terminal during rush hour. The demonstrators, organized by the Jewish Voice for Peace, wore black shirts with the slogan "Jews say cease-fire now" and chanted for a ceasefire. They also climbed ticket counters and displayed banners advocating for Palestinian freedom. The protest occurred as Israel prepared to escalate its ground campaign in Gaza.
Thousands of protesters, mostly Jewish New Yorkers, shut down Grand Central station in New York in a sit-in against Israel's bombardment of Gaza. Organized by Jewish Voice for Peace New York City, the peaceful demonstration was called the largest civil disobedience in the city in 20 years. At least 200 people were arrested, with organizers estimating the number to be over 300. The protesters held banners advocating for Palestinian freedom and mourning the dead, while rabbis lit Shabbat candles and recited the Jewish prayer for the dead.
