Salon: “We will not be silent”: American Jews hit the streets during Hanukkah to fight Islamophobia and racism

Jewish Voice for Peace condemns “state-sanctioned Islamophobia & racism” and anti-refugee xenophobia this Hanukkah

BEN NORTON

This Hanukkah, Jews across the U.S. are taking to the street to rally against the Islamophobia and racism rampant in their communities.

On each night in the eight-day-long religious holiday, Jewish activists are participating in protests against various forms of injustice in a campaign initiated by the Network Against Islamophobia, a project called for by national peace organization Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) to challenge anti-Muslim bigotry, along with Jews Against Islamophobia, a coalition of JVP-New York and the activist group Jews Say No!

The demonstrations are being held in 15 cities throughout the country, including Chicago, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Atlanta. The first demonstration was held at New York City’s Rockefeller Center on Sunday, Dec. 6, the first night of Hanukkah.

Activists are conveying their commitments through signs in the shape of eight candles, which together comprise a symbolic menorah. A ninth sign, modeled after the shamash, or “helper” candle, reads “Jews against Islamophobia and racism — rekindling our commitment to justice.” The eight pledges listed on the other candles are:

We will not be silent about anti-Muslim and racist hate speech and hate crimes;
We condemn state surveillance of the Muslim, Arab, and South Asian communities;
We challenge, through our words and actions, institutionalized racism and state-sanctioned anti-Black violence;
We protest the use of Islamophobia and anti-Arab racism to justify Israel’s repressive policies against Palestinians;
We fight anti-Muslim profiling and racial profiling in all its forms;
We call for an end to racist policing #SayHerName #BlackLivesMatter;
We stand against U.S. policies driven by the “war on terror” that demonize Islam and devalue, target, and kill Muslims; and
We welcome Syrian refugees and stand strong for immigrants’ rights and refugee rights.

Jews Say No: Not In Our Name!