Protest for ceasefire in Middle East halts Boston traffic

By Colette Lauture

Protesters in Boston brought rush hour traffic to a standstill Thursday afternoon, calling for a ceasefire in the Middle East.

IfNotNow Boston, a Jewish group against the Israeli government’s treatment of Palestinians, said the number of participants in the protest grew from an initial “over 200 Jews and allies” to more than 500. Falling on the eighth night of Hanukkah, the group mentioned that demonstrators lit a menorah and marched to the intersection of Congress and State Street from City Hall Plaza. A large banner advocating the ceasefire was held up at the intersection during the evening commute.

Members of Jewish Voice for Peace, another group that helped organize the rally, said they wanted to shine light on a terrifying time for the last night of Hanukkah. Eli Gerzon, a Jewish Voice for Peace member, said the goal was to stop business as usual.

“We shouldn’t have business as usual when a genocide is happening.”

Those protesting said they wanted Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey to hear their cries. Medford City Councillor Kit Collins said there can’t be a normal holiday season “while the U.S. is funding war crimes in Gaza.”

Those trying to navigate the streets Thursday expressed their frustration. Driver Justin Valentin said he did not blame the protesters for making their opinion heard, but it would have been beneficial if their point was made and then continued to move somewhere else.

All streets in the downtown area reopened just before 7 p.m., according to the Boston Police Department.