ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Outside the Pennsylvania State Democratic Committee meeting at the Americus Hotel on Friday night, demonstrators staged a dramatic protest to highlight their grievances against U.S. policies supporting Israel, reports Brian Myszkowski on LehighValleyNews.com on May 31.
Dressed as politicians, including President Joe Biden and U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, protesters feasted on a symbolic dinner of “rubble and blood.” They distributed copies of “The Mourning Call,” a publication covering the upcoming November 2024 elections. U.S. Rep. Susan Wild walked past the table, avoiding the protesters’ calls as she entered the hotel.
Inside, committee members enjoyed a “grandiose meal,” according to protest organizers. The demonstration aimed to underscore what organizers described as the dire consequences of Biden, Bob Casey, and Susan Wild prioritizing support from pro-Israel super PACs over their constituents’ concerns.
Raya Abdelaal, a member of the Lehigh Valley Palestine Coalition, explained that the event was intended to reflect the harsh realities faced by Palestinians to those inside the hotel. The coalition, along with various local groups including the Lehigh Valley Muslim community, Jewish Voice for Peace Lehigh Valley, and student organizations, hopes to halt U.S. military aid to Israel, divest from Israeli bonds, and end the occupation of Gaza and the West Bank.
The protest comes in response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Israel launched its offensive following Hamas attacks on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 people and the abduction of around 250 others. The conflict has since led to significant casualties and destruction in Gaza.
Lehigh County Commissioner Jon Irons, a member of the Lehigh Valley Palestine Coalition, stated that the event was timed to coincide with the Democratic Committee’s dinner to highlight the contrast between the comfortable lives of politicians and the suffering in Gaza.
The demonstration featured theatrical elements to represent the genocide’s impact, with participants symbolically consuming rubble and wearing bloodstained clothes. Irons expressed his hope that this would draw attention to the dissatisfaction within the Democratic Party regarding the Biden administration’s support for Israel.
In Washington, President Biden recently urged Israelis and Hamas to agree on a deal to release hostages and extend the cease-fire, proposing a three-phase plan to end the nearly eight-month-old conflict.
As the protest unfolded, reactions from passersby were mixed, with some showing support and others expressing anger. Jeremy Zallen of Jewish Voice for Peace Lehigh Valley noted the range of responses.
Raya Abdelaal, reflecting on her Palestinian heritage and activism, emphasized the importance of standing up for what is right. She criticized local politicians for their connections to Israel and their perceived inaction on the issue.
The event concluded with Abdelaal expressing a desire for the demonstration to make a lasting impression on the politicians attending the meeting, hoping it would prompt them to reconsider their positions and actions regarding the conflict in Gaza.
