Hundreds protest hall

In a generally peaceful demonstration last night, a diversified crowd of Palestinians,… In a generally peaceful demonstration last night, a diversified crowd of Palestinians, Israelis, Jews and Christians protested speaker Benjamin Netanyahu and his billing as a “champion of peace.”

Across the street from Heinz Hall, signs declaring “Free Palestine” and “Stop U.S. Aid to Israel” faced people entering the hall as they turned to survey the crowd, unable to ignore the impassioned chants of the throngs of protesters pressed against sawhorse barriers.

About 80 city police officers patrolled the area, according to community-oriented police commander Kathy Degler. A Sept. 9 speech by Netanyahu in Montreal was canceled as a result of violence between clashing protesters.

On Sixth Street, the aggression was limited. A man dressed in black rushed the crowd of protesters, clapping his hands wildly, before being detained by police. He then quietly entered Heinz Hall to hear Netanyahu speak.

Other ticket-holders refrained from antagonism and instead discussed the protest in small groups. Judy Lesniak said she was glad the United States has freedom of speech but didn’t agree with their message.

“Those people don’t know anything,” Lesniak said, nodding her head across the street before promptly heading into Heinz Hall.

Protesters were diligent about promoting a nonviolent approach. A list of rules were handed out and announced before the speakers began. One rule was that protesters were not to be provoked into fights with police or counter-protesters, and not to use offensive language.

The keynote speaker was historian Staughton Lynd, who chaired the first anti-Vietnam War march in Washington, D.C., in 1965.

He called to give the title of “champion of peace” from Netanyahu to other Israelis, among them, “the men and women who refuse to do military service in occupied territories.”

Children in pigtails and Nike swooshes waiving Palestinian flags were a contrast to the signs depicting shoeless children with the message: “Palestinian children are not terrorists. Why do they suffer collective punishment everyday?”

The man carrying the sign, Talal Hefnawy, stressed the diversity of the crowd and presence of Jews at the protest.

“We are friends of all groups,” Hefnawy said. “We need to have cooperation and collaboration so there is justice with everyone.”

The Radical Cheerleaders took the stage and ignited the spirits of the crowd. With their “two-four-six-eight” mantras and leg-kicks, even those who faced the street in order to show off signs turned to join in the excitement.

Soon after, Julie Hakim, a Pitt graduate student, read a letter from an 18-year-old living in Tel Aviv. The petite woman’s strong voice broke as she talked about the lack of milk for babies in the war-torn area.

One of the last speakers to take the stage was Rachel Weber, a young woman with cropped hair and a steady voice who stressed that it was not anti-Semitic to protest Netanyahu.

“As a Jew, I’m angry that Sharon, Netanyahu and others have used my faith and heritage,” Weber said. “They have stolen Judaism from me as they put the Star of David on their tanks.”

Hakim said she was not sure how successful the demonstration was, but was pleased with the huge turnout and diversified crowd.

“The success will depend on how the media portrays us. We were peaceful and dignified,” Hakim said. “I’m impressed with the all of these people from different faiths.”

Degler was also satisfied with outcome, and said the police experienced no problems.

“Everything was very peaceful. They came, they said their piece,” Degler said. “Everybody got to say what they wanted and that’s what we like.”