A large interfaith group of clergy, faith leaders and others marched the streets of Boston Thursday calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war to stop the loss of life, ending at the John F. Kennedy Federal Building, where some were arrested, organizers said.
President Joe Biden called for a “pause” in the fighting Wednesday night, stopping short of calling for a full ceasefire. Israel has said a ceasefire would only benefit Hamas.
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Hundreds gathered for the interfaith rally in downtown Boston Thursday calling for peace. They say they are mourning the lives lost both in Israel and Gaza. Speakers came from various faiths, including Dr. Mohanad Mossalam, khateeb of Friday sermons at Malden Islamic Center; Rev. Darrell Hamilton II of First Baptist Church, Jamaica Plain; Rabbi Rebecca Hornstein, executive director of the Boston Worker’s Circle; Imam Ahmad Berry, of the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center (ISBCC); Rev. Eva Ortez of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Boston; Rev. Redeem Robinson, Interim Pastor of Old West Church in Boston, and Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes-Anderson.
“The horrific events of the weeks have shown us that there is no such thing as safety for some unless there is safety for everyone. Jewish and Muslim tradition both state that destroying one life is akin to destroying the entire world, and whoever saves a life saves the entire world. That is why it is so crucial that people of all faith traditions who hold that life is sacred to come together and call for a ceasefire,” Hornstein said during the march.
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Thousands of people have been killed in the conflict, more than a million have been displaced, and a humanitarian crisis is underway in Gaza as Israel continues its airstrikes and ground offensive in response to the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas.
The march was set to end at the John F. Kennedy Federal Building, the home of Boston officers of Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Sen. Ed Markey, where the group intended to hold a pray-in to demand the senators add their voices to the calls for a ceasefire. The senators have said they are focusing their efforts on pushing for humanitarian aid in Gaza.
Organizers said 23 people were arrested inside the building for "not conforming with signs and directions." In a media release, organizers said those people were participating in the pray-in and refused to leave the building, peacefully sitting, singing and praying.
