BOSTON — Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators temporarily blocked traffic on Boston’s Storrow Drive on Sunday during an emotional march on the eve of the one-year anniversary of Hamas’ attack on Israel.
Monday, October 7, marks one year since the Hamas attack on Israel that led to the subsequent war in Gaza.
What began as an organized protest at the Parkman Bandstand on Boston Common on Sunday afternoon quickly unraveled as thousands moved onto Storrow Drive, where they marched through traffic with signs in hand and locked arms so cars couldn’t pass.
The demonstrators are demanding an end to the war in Gaza, which began when more than 1,200 Israelis were killed and hundreds more were taken hostage in a Hamas attack during a music festival in Gaza one year ago on Monday.
In an Instagram post, Jewish Voice for Peace Boston wrote: “Thousands take to Storrow Drive in Boston to demand the US end genocide and stop arming Israel!” A year of genocide and a year of mass mobilization to oppose Zionism!
A Massachusetts State Police spokesperson said the department is “aware of and currently monitoring a large gathering of protesters in Boston.”
State Police also confirmed that the group was blocking Storrow Drive near the Hatch Shell before heading toward the State House and Boston Common.
“For the safety of motorists, pedestrians and demonstrators, officials are diverting traffic from the area,” the spokesman said. “We remain in close coordination with local and international partners to preserve public safety, constitutional rights of assembly, and freedom of expression.”
Before the moving march, many gathered on Boston Common chanting, holding signs, protesting and demanding an end to the war.
“We are trying to highlight a year of genocide,” said Fawaz Abu Sharkh, founder of the Boston Coalition. “What is happening now goes beyond any acceptable measures. It is pure aggression, a lot of killing and now expansion into Lebanon and elsewhere.” For Palestine.
Abu Sharkh said the group organized a protest on Saturday at the bandstand. One of the groups that attended was Jewish Voice for Peace Boston, which said more than 40 groups attended the protest.
“We are an anti-Zionist organization because we see Zionism as being against human rights as racism, and we do not see it as protecting the Jews and keeping them safe. Rather, we see it as putting everyone at risk, and we believe that the Jewish people will be safe when the Palestinian people are,” said Eli Gerzon, a volunteer with the Jewish Voice for Peace organization. Boston Branch: “They’re safe.”
Rabbi Mark Baker is president and CEO of Combined Jewish Philanthropy, a Massachusetts nonprofit representing the Jewish community.
“We need to continue to grieve together to support each other and allow this moment not to divide us but to bring us together,” Baker said.
He said that people protesting during this time makes him angry.
He added: “The human toll of the past year has been terrible. When I hear about the protests on October 7, I feel sad and angry. This seems to be the time to remember those who were brutally murdered to keep Israelis in their hearts and minds.” He said.
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