Thousands of American Jews from Illinois and across the country protested at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., this week, calling for a cease-fire in the war in Gaza.
It has been more than a week since Hamas invaded Israel, leaving hundreds dead and injured. Since then, Israeli troops have bombarded Gaza in an effort to take out Hamas and free hundreds of Israelis and others who were kidnapped.
Scout Bratt, a member of Illinois Jewish Voice for Peace, said they are opposed to waging war against the Palestinians who live in Gaza, most of whom are not affiliated with Hamas.
"There is no military solution to this," Bratt argued. "We need to address root causes, which include the Israeli military occupation in apartheid, and again, our own government's role in funding this oppression."
Thousands of members from the same group protested at the White House earlier in the week. The event was peaceful, but dozens of protesters were arrested for "civil disobedience." A Marist poll found 63% of Americans favor U.S. public support for Israel, but 79% fear the war will lead to a larger Middle East conflict.
As the protests played out, President Joe Biden flew to Israel and other Middle Eastern countries to show solidarity with the Jewish nation. Bratt noted her group has a message for Biden: to end U.S. military support to Israel. She added most of the military equipment being used is paid for and made on U.S. soil.
"It's about holding accountable our government for contributing to these severe crimes," Bratt contended. "Essentially, what we're demanding is a cease-fire. Now."
Bratt pointed out American support for Israel's attack in Gaza is spurring violence against Palestinians here and in other parts of the world. She cited an incident in suburban Chicago this week when a landlord allegedly killed the 6-year-old child of one of his tenants because, according to the man's relatives, the child was Palestinian.
"There's a lot of rhetoric and vitriol that both Israeli and American leaders are perpetuating that is dehumanizing," Bratt stressed. "Clearly this vitriol is contributing to violence here in our own cities."
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Gov. Mike DeWine's recently released biennial budget keeps funding for domestic violence services at $20 million, maintaining the same level as the previous budget cycle.
Lisa DeGeeter, senior director for policy and prevention for the Ohio Domestic Violence Network, said while it prevents cuts, it falls short of addressing the growing demands they have seen over the past three years for crisis services.
"If five people showed up at the door, there was space for four and one was turned away," DeGeeter pointed out. "Two years ago, that number became one in three. Last year, it was nearly one out of every two. It was about 45% were turned away."
The Ohio Domestic Violence Network requested double the current funding to keep up with rising demand. While the level funding avoids cuts, federal reductions could mean fewer available services. She stressed shelters and crisis programs are already struggling to meet the need.
Some Ohio cities are adopting new approaches to combat domestic violence. Cleveland, for example, has implemented a fatality review and lethality risk-assessment program aimed at preventing homicides.
"If the offender has access to a weapon, if they've made threats, histories of mental health issues, there are things that law enforcement officers can screen for," DeGeeter noted. "Targeting those kinds of things so that additional services can get out to folks who are at greater risk."
DeGeeter added advocates plan to ask for the level funding to remain as the state Legislature reviews the budget. They argued without sufficient resources, more survivors may be left without the support they need to escape dangerous situations.
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In Minnesota and Washington, D.C., marches will take place this weekend as President-elect Donald Trump nears the start of his second term.
An organization specializing in building peace around the globe will have a presence. Nonviolent Peaceforce, which has a location in Minnesota, was invited by organizers of the People's March to ensure demonstrators feel safe as they express their views.
Anna Zaros, director of organizational advancement for the group, said they take a nonpartisan approach in helping out. She considers Saturday's march a "low-risk" event but added they will be on the spot to carry out de-escalation tactics, if needed.
"What we do is really about leaning into the humanity of other people," Zaros explained. "People often escalate because they're not being heard and because they feel vulnerable. So, if we can reach out to that person proactively, if we see tension rising and listen to them; kind of divert the attention."
Zaros noted they will also escort attendees as they depart if they're worried about personal safety, should they encounter any threats. In 2017, before Trump's first inauguration, the event was called the Women's March but has been rebranded as progressives worry about actions like mass deportations. Companion rallies are scheduled across the U.S., including a handful in Minnesota.
Zaros stressed preparation is key to setting a peaceful tone, noting they have trained roughly 200 volunteers in recent weeks. She acknowledged in today's political climate it can be tricky to encourage tolerance as a lot of people have strong feelings about where we are as a country but she insisted it is still worth it, even if it feels out of reach.
"Sometimes, the work of nonviolence can feel like, 'No, this isn't what we need. Our problems are too big.' But that is exactly when we do need nonviolence because when we see these fissures in our ability to relate to other human beings," Zaros emphasized. "Nonviolence at its core is about being able to see that person for who they are."
She added building tolerance usually takes longer when teaching it to people surrounded by conflict. The weekend assistance will not foster deep political discussions if tension arises but rather, those "on-the-spot" efforts to lower the temperature. Saturday's marches in Washington D.C. are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. ET with local events happening at different start times.
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This Saturday marks the International Day of Peace and the advocacy group Nonviolent Peaceforce is kicking off a series of family-friendly events in Midland.
The focus of the day is to encourage nations and individuals to resolve conflicts without violence. Nonviolent Peaceforce aims to inspire the Midland community through stage performances, the dedication of a "peace pole" and giveaways of a special book on fostering peace.
Judy Timmons, treasurer and historian of Nonviolent Peaceforce Midland, underscored the commitment to resolving conflicts through dialogue rather than violence, especially in light of the many conflicts playing out on the world stage.
"We have to listen to one another before we can bring about peace," Timmons urged. "We have to understand where the other person is coming from. You know, I think more than ever, we need to focus our efforts on peace and how we can promote peace in our everyday lives."
The International Day of Peace was established by the United Nations in 1981, initially intended as a day of ceasefire and nonviolence.
At the United Nations headquarters in New York, the U.N. Secretary-General will ring the Peace Bell to honor the day. This year's theme is "Cultivating a Culture of Peace." Timmons pointed out her group believes in teaching children the values of peaceful resolution. She noted prior to the pandemic days, they went into schools to teach anti-bullying, with a program called, "Be aware, play fair, show you care."
"We've taught over 1,100 area students how to recognize what is a bully, and why are they a bully?" Timmons explained. "And how you can befriend a bully, if you will."
Timmons added the organization is working on resuming school visits. Events worldwide include educational programs, peace walks, cultural performances and advocacy campaigns.
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