For Immediate Release: November 2, 2023
Contact: press@socialists.nyc, (646) 820-4401
Photos of Flatbush / Rep. Clarke protest available here.
Video of Flatbush / Rep. Clarke protest available here.
Photos and videos of Flushing / Rep. Meng protest available here.
Photos of Jamaica / Rep. Meeks protest available here.
Video of Jamaica / Rep. Meeks protest available here.
BREAKING: IN BROOKLYN & QUEENS, HUNDREDS OF NEW YORKERS MARCH ON 3 CONGRESS OFFICES FOR A CEASEFIRE
NEW YORK CITY – Today, hundreds of residents of New York’s 5th, 6th, and 9th Congressional districts rallied to demand that their Congressional representatives call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Constituents of Rep. Yvette Clarke [NY-9], Gregory Meeks [NY-5], and Rep. Grace Meng [NY-6] gathered ahead of an expected Congressional vote on military aid to Israel on Friday. A multi-faith, multi-generational group of New Yorkers appealed to their representatives to join fellow members of the New York Delegation ––Representative Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez [NY-14], Representative Jamaal Bowman [NY-16], and Representative Nydia Velázquez [NY-7] –– in calling for a immediate de-escalation and ceasefire.
This protest comes at a time of growing popular US support for a ceasefire, and a skyrocketing Palestinian death toll. 66% of Americans and 80% of registered Democrats support an immediate ceasefire. Since October 7, over 8,796 Palestinians have been killed, 3,648 of those children, in nonstop airstrikes.
Over 200 people gathered in Flatbush this morning outside the district office of Representative Yvette Clarke, chanting and rallying for an immediate ceasefire. “Every bomb dropped on Gaza threatens the lives of 2.2 million Palestinians in Gaza and 200 Israeli hostages. As Rep. Clarke’s constituent, I’m calling on her to listen to the many Jewish New Yorkers, including myself, who ask that our own pain and mourning not be used to justify attacks against another people,” said Noah Habeeb, a member of Jewish Voice for Peace who lives in Flatbush.
“As a mother, seeing 400 Gazan children slaughtered a day, I grieve and demand that Representative Clarke support a ceasefire. Hundreds of your voters in Little Pakistan have called you and made it plain that the barbers, grocery store owners, and fabric sellers of our neighborhood are demanding you call for a ceasefire. I’m only here to remind you.” said Zulfiya Ahmdat, a Midwood resident and member of DRUM – Desis Rising Up & Moving.
At 3pm in Flushing, over 60, including families and children, gathered to deliver a petition, signed by over 800 constituents to Congresswoman Grace Meng. The petition calls for an immediate ceasefire of Israeli bombardment and ground invasion in Gaza, and to sign on to House Resolution 786.
“When I look at my own children’s faces, I’m confronted by the reality that many of the Palestinians being killed are children. I’m also confronted by it when I see the faces of Grace Meng’s children, often on her public Instagram and campaign materials that she sends to us, her constituents, asking us to support her. If she expects our support in the future, we demand that our representative represent us. Representative Meng must call for a ceasefire now,” said Emma Heaney, a Woodside resident who joined the march with her two young children.
“My family lives in Jackson Heights, where we’re raising our 9-month old daughter. We want Congresswoman Meng to know that there is a constituency for humanity in her district; we want her to join other area Representatives like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jamal Bowman, and Nydia Velázquez in calling for a ceasefire. A ceasefire is necessary to help stop the ongoing genocide in Gaza,” said Tarek Ismail, a Palestinian-American Jackson Heights resident.
In Jamaica, 40 constituents marched on Rep. Gregory Meeks’ district offices, many chanting “Ceasefire Now” and “Let Gaza Live.” They too demanded that their representative call for an immediate ceasefire and stand against additional military aid to Israel.
“Gregory Meeks is ignoring his constituents, just as Congress is ignoring a vast majority of the American people who want a ceasefire,” said Bright Limm, a Jamaica resident. “Queens residents are fed up with our tax dollars funding Israel’s war crimes. We demand Meeks stop the massacre of the Palestinian people and call for a ceasefire now!”
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