A tale of two demos

Last week I attended two demonstrations about the situation in Gaza. The divergence between these two demonstrations reflects the fissures that run through the peace movement in Ann Arbor. This unhealed wound is bleeding what might otherwise be a vibrantly active local peace movement.

The first demonstration was on Saturday afternoon in front of the Federal building, It was attended by about a half a dozen activists who I have known for years. Friends I’ve known since the first gulf war, Some of these activist have held vigil on this street corner for several years now. The crowd maybe maxed at 75 people. It was timely, happening only days after the Israeli bombing started. The chants were loud and militant, many of the signs critiqued Zionism. One chant I could not join in with was “from the river to the sea Palestine will be free.” This chant is a call for the elimination of the state of Israel. I do not agree with the policies of Israel but still essentially acknowledge its right to exist.

The second demonstration was a candlelight vigil on Main st last Thursday. This was sponsored by Interfaith Counsel for Peace and Justice “ICPJ” the local interfaith peace group and Michigan Peaceworks the “big” peace organization in town. I did less of a head count here because my son Zev was with me, but there were about 100 to 150 people attending this vigil. The most common signs at this vigil were calling for a cease fire. Since it was available I held one of these signs, but with Gaza under siege a cease fire is not enough.

Long standing conflicts have existed between many of the activists who were at the first rally and the ICPJ and Michigan Peaceworks organizers. ICPJ and Michigan Peaceworks have been critiqued for failing to take certain positions about Israel and Palestine. There is even a group that calls itself “ICPJ Middle East Task fore in exile.” I don’t know if anyone other than me attended both the first rally and the vigil. Prior to the candle light vigil someone sent an email asking for volunteers to bring large signs so they could stand in front of signs that were deemed unpalatable to the public. I heard that some activists promoted a boycott of the vigil in response to this. Conflict abounds.

I know people on both sides who are deeply dedicated to working for a more just and peaceful world. I think both sides have important things to offer to that struggle. Unfortunately the conflict makes activists on both sides less effective. Those who want peace and a better life for the people in Gaza, when divided, will be conquered.

I would urge my comrades on all sides of this issue to hold out hope for developing a working consensus. Correct ideology alone has never changed anything. Change comes from action and nothing is more powerful than the action of people working together. Consensus does not need to mean agreement on positions or ideology, but consensus suggests that all voices are heard and that the best solution to a problem may be found by working through differences.