In a powerful display of solidarity and resistance, hundreds of Jewish peace activists, along with their allies, descended upon a bustling train station in the heart of Chicago during Monday morning’s rush hour. Their mission was clear: to obstruct the entrance to the Israeli consulate and to voice their demand for U.S. support for an Israeli cease-fire amidst the escalating conflict in northern Gaza.
This demonstration was the collective effort of the Chicago chapters of Jewish Voice for Peace, IfNotNow, and Never Again Action. Protesters wielded placards emblazoned with potent messages such as “Jews say ceasefire now” and “stop genocide”. Over a hundred of these brave souls who formed a human barricade on the escalators leading to the consulate were arrested for misdemeanor trespassing and subsequently escorted out of the premises.
READ ALSO: Palestinians Dig Mass Graves in Gaza Hospital Amidst Israeli Siege
The spark that ignited this protest was the surprise attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7, which has since spiraled into a devastating conflict, causing thousands of casualties and widespread destruction across Gaza. A similar sit-in was orchestrated by the advocacy group Jewish Voice for Peace at New York City’s Grand Central Station on October 27.
The Chicago rally stands apart from previous Jewish Voice demonstrations due to the unique challenges faced by progressive Jewish communities in the Midwest, which are smaller in size and geographically dispersed. As police led away the demonstrators, their hands zip-tied behind their backs and clad in black T-shirts proclaiming, “Not in our name,” the crowd erupted in cheers.
Clara Belitz of IfNotNow Chicago, during an Instagram livestream of the protest, passionately declared, “We will not let a genocide happen in our name”.