Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) organized a significant rally in New York City, coinciding with the Passover festival, to highlight issues of liberation and social justice. The event, termed the “Liberation Seder,” took place outside the headquarters of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Federal Plaza, drawing hundreds of supporters.

Demands of the Rally

The gathering aimed to protest the Trump administration’s increasing deportation of Palestine advocates and to call for an end to U.S. military support for Israel amid ongoing humanitarian crises in Gaza. Participants aimed to amplify several key messages:

• Palestinian liberation and condemnation of violence in Gaza.
• The call for the release of political prisoners, including those held by ICE.
• Support for marginalized communities, including immigrants and trans individuals.

Voices of Concern

JVP emphasized their stance through social media, stating, “We are outside Federal Plaza to say: Stop arming Israel. End Israel’s genocide in Gaza.” The rally fostered a spirit of collective action, with chants such as “Free Mahmoud, Free Them All!” resonating through the plaza.

JVP organizer Jay Saper articulated the emotional weight of the event, sharing a personal connection to historical injustices: “This Passover, the Jewish festival of liberation, we cannot celebrate as usual while Palestinians in Gaza face famine.”

The Context of Protest

The current situation in Gaza is dire, with reports indicating that over 180,000 Palestinians have suffered casualties as a result of ongoing hostilities. JVP and other groups connected these struggles to broader themes of social justice and equity, echoing sentiments of past civil rights movements.

Rabbi Abby Stein, who presided over the Seder, criticized the actions of the Trump administration, stating, “We refuse to allow the president to use our people as cover for its racist, anti-Palestinian, fascist agenda.”

Issues Faced by Activists

Recent actions by ICE have targeted numerous foreign nationals involved in advocating for Palestine, such as Mahmoud Khalil and Mohsen Mahdawi, who faced arrest for their involvement in peaceful protests. Legal representatives highlighted the troubling pattern of targeting students and activists based on their political beliefs.

Attorney Ramzi Kassem stated, “My client [Rümeysa Öztürk] was taken by ICE from her campus despite having no grounds for revocation of her visa.” This underscores the ongoing debate about the intersection of immigration policy and political dissent.

Conclusion and Call for Action

The rally also included participation from organizations such as Jews for Racial and Economic Justice and Rabbis for Cease-fire, reflecting a coalition of voices advocating for equity and justice. JVP political director Beth Miller concluded, “As Jews of conscience, we remain steadfast in our commitment to Palestinian freedom.”

This event serves as a reminder of the enduring connection between historical struggles for liberation and contemporary issues of justice and human rights. Activists urge continued solidarity and action against oppressive policies affecting both Palestinians and marginalized communities within the U.S.