Activists Call for Gaza Ceasefire, Risk Arrest at White House
Some 21 activists calling for a ceasefire in Gaza risked arrest during a demonstration in front of the White House on March 6. The multifaith demonstration was organized by Christians 4 Ceasefire, which is co-sponsored by the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker (Washington, D.C.). The event aimed to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and to protest against U.S. involvement in what the organizers describe as Israel’s “genocidal war” in the region.
The following article is based on a report submitted by Art Laffin of Dorothy Day Catholic Worker house in Washington, DC. You can read his statement below the article.
Some 21 activists calling for a ceasefire in Gaza risked arrest during a demonstration in front of the White House on March 6. The multifaith demonstration was organized by Christians 4 Ceasefire, which is co-sponsored by the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker (Washington, D.C.). The event aimed to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and to protest against U.S. involvement in what the organizers describe as Israel’s “genocidal war” in the region.
About 100 demonstrators gathered in Lafayette Park, then moved to Pennsylvania Avenue and continued to the sidewalk in front of the White House, where participants from Muslim, Jewish, and Christian communities offered prayers. Several activists hung a banner on the White House fence proclaiming: “Muslims-Christians-Jews Cry Out: Ceasefire Now.”
Throughout the event, attendees engaged in singing, and members of the Stones Cry Out Delegation shared their experiences in Palestine. Among the speakers was Philp Farah from the Palestinian Christian Alliance for Peace, who shared the story of his 84-year-old relative, Elham Farah. She was fatally shot by an Israeli sniper outside the Holy Family Church in Gaza.
The group later moved to block a White House checkpoint entrance, then obstructed three intersections at Pennsylvania Avenue and 17th Street. The Secret Service responded by closing off parts of the intersection and rerouting traffic, but no arrests were made.
Organizers highlighted the urgency of the situation in Gaza, with an impending Israeli military invasion of Rafah, famine conditions, and escalating violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
Here is Art Laffin’s full statement:
Dear Friends,
On March 6, Christians 4 Ceasefire (which Dorothy Day Catholic Worker is a co-sponsor) helped to organize a multifaith witness outside the White House to call for an immediate permanent ceasefire in Gaza and an end to U.S. complicity in Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza. Following a powerful Noon-time program in Lafayette Park, which was led by the “Stones Cry Out Delegation” just returning from Palestine, peace and justice makers processed to Pennsylvania Ave. and then to the White House sidewalk where Muslim, Jewish, and Christian prayers were offered. To begin the witness a banner was hung on the White House fence saying: “Muslims-Christians-Jews Cry Out: Ceasefire Now.” (see attachment) Throughout the witness there was singing and members of the Stones Cry Out Delegation who were risking arrest offered powerful testimonies about what they experienced in Palestine and the urgent action that needs to be taken for a permanent ceasefire. Others also spoke, including Philp Farah, from the Palestinian Christian Alliance for Peace, Palestinian Christian Alliance for Peace (pcap-us.org). His 84-year-old relative, Elham Farah was shot by an Israeli sniper outside of Holy Family Church in Gaza and later died from her wounds. Over 100 people participated in the witness, with 21 people risking arrest, some for the first time.
To hang a banner on the White House fence is a federal violation, and to be in the 60-foot picture post card area directly in front of the White House, is also a violation of the D.C. criminal code. However, the Secret Service decided not to arrest anyone. After a period of time, those risking arrest proceeded to block a White House checkpoint entrance. Again, the Secret Service did not intervene. The group then blocked three intersections of Pennsylvania Ave. and 17th St. and the Secret Service responded by closing off parts of the intersection and rerouted traffic. We then concluded our witness.
A word of great gratitude to all who participated and helped organize this witness and endured the wet weather, and those who were with us in spirit and prayerful solidarity.
Here are some photos and the video recording and the follow up press release. Also see below the March 6th Press Release and Eli McCarthy’s email regarding the witness and next steps in the Lenten Ceasefire Campaign.
With the imminent Israeli military invasion of Rafah looming, as Gazans face famine conditions, and as settler and Israeli military violence against Palestinians increases in the West Bank, we must nonviolently act to avert further death and destruction in Gaza and Palestine.
In peace and hope,
Art
Press Release:
Faith Delegation Returns from Palestine + Multi-faith ‘Nonviolent Witness Action 4 Ceasefire’ in Gaza Outside White House
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 3/8/2024) – On Wednesday, March 6, between 100-125 Muslim,
Christian, and Jewish persons participated in a multi-faith “Nonviolent Witness Action 4
Ceasefire” in Gaza at Lafayette Park outside the White House. The noon vigil event featured voices from a faith delegation returning from Palestine. We had 21 people also risk arrest, some for the very first time.
We also generated multiple notable disruptions in the immediate White House area with a
“Muslims-Christians-Jews Cry Out: Ceasefire Now” banner. With song, prayer, and testimony, we entered into the depths of our spiritual traditions and lifted up the dignity of all people.
WHEN: Wednesday, March 6, 12-2 p.m.
WHERE: Lafayette Park, Outside the White House, Washington, D.C.
VIDEO RECORDING: video of the action
PHOTOS: pictures of the action
CONTACT: Janine Walsh, Franciscan Action Network, walsh@franciscanaction.org; CAIR
Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, 410-971-6062, zchaudry@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448
*An additional event occurred at 7pm, at Calvary Baptist Church (755 8th St NW, Washington, DC 20001).
The delegation offered a formal report with music and a call to action.
Why Now? With the Islamic holy month of Ramadan approaching on March 10th and the
Israeli government having designated it as the possible start date for its full-scale invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza, multi-faith organizers believe that this moment calls for Americans to draw on the power of faith to escalate and resist the normalization of the mass slaughter of Palestinians. Adding to the urgency, President Biden’s State of the Union address is scheduled for March 7th.
The Palestinians whom the delegation met with this past week shared: “They feel abandoned, forsaken by the world, to face the genocide of their people alone…We
call for a cease fire now, including hostages held by Hamas and political prisoners held by
Israel…ethnic cleansing is exponentially increasing in the West Bank ‘under the radar’…Home demolitions have increased…The people of the Global South see the hypocrisy.”
Co-sponsors of the event include the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Christians for Ceasefire, and the Stones Cry Out delegation of faith leaders who are returning from visiting Palestinian religious, political, and NGO leaders in the West Bank.
The cover photo Is courtesy of Maryknoll Global Concerns.
