JEWS, MUSLIMS, CHRISTIANS IN COMMUNITY
On Saturday, January 3, 2009, a cross-section of the Durham community gathered in solidarity to cry out for the end of Israeli bombing in Gaza.
The intersection near Brightleaf Square is a frequent Saturday afternoon gathering place for peace vigils. This protest was noteworthy for its size – nearly 300 people – and its diversity. A significant range of ages, races, and religions were reflected in the faces, signs, and speeches seen and heard at the four corners of Main and Gregson.
A variety of organizations participated, led by a UBUNTU (a local women-of-color, survivor-led group, which works to support victims of and end violence toward women). Word-of-mouth, list serves, and Facebook were the primary – and obviously effective – means of communicating the vigil’s date and time.
According to one participant, the protest came about because “Different organizations and congregations are grieving and feeling rage about violence against the people of Gaza in our name. Our tax dollars are paying for Israel’s fight using U.S. planes and bombs. Many Jewish people stood with us here today, upset that this is also happening in their name.”
Landist News reports on issues and activities of interest to the Durham community. This article is meant to neither endorse nor condem the actions of any organization or country. For another point of view on this complicated issue and to learn of any planned pro-Israeli gatherings you may contact the Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation at (919) 489-5335.
This article was written by Kim Batson and originally published in The
Landist News January 9, 2009 issue. Email [email protected] for reprint permission. To buy, sell, or lease real estate, go to landistads.com.
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