Protesters Confront Jewish Federation in Ann Arbor

The local media, who promoted the appearance of Israel’s Hasbara Queen Noa – aka the queen of celebration of the ethnic cleansing of Palestine – remained eerily silent on the coverage of twenty-three protesters at the Michigan Theater last Wednesday (April 17). If we listen to Voltaire, however, we might appreciate more how un-eerily this lack of coverage really was:

“To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize.”

Members of Jewish Witnesses for Peace and Friends have been witnessing this hidden hand for almost a decade. A corollary to Voltaire’s warning might be:

If your commentary of Jews is positive – as in “Jews are smart”, “Jews are socially aware”, “Jews are generous”, well, then let the games begin. However, if you, like Gilad Atzmon, espouse a negative or realistic view of Jewish behavior (Jewish identity politics, in his case), then you have committed a big no-no.

Or – we humbly add – if you have identified the local Jewish community as guilty of enthusiastically supporting the ethnic cleansing of Palestine, and stage a very visible protest against it, then the local capos of the media will remain silent. It’s really not difficult to understand.

Our Protest

We began our protest under the scrutiny of at least three private security guards (Crime Prevention Security, Inc.) hired by the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor and two police cars with four AAPD officers, including the acting Night Shift Commander. This officer took charge of our First Amendment rights by telling us where to stand, where to walk, and to take the banner across the street where it would reduce pedestrian congestion on the sidewalk in front of the theater. We complied with his every request, and agreed that the banner held across the narrow street (not pictured) added to our visibility.

(apologies for lack of focus)

Speaking of Gilad Atzmon

Guess who’s coming to town May 23-25 and plans to stand vigil with members of JWPF on Saturday, April 25? Yes, Charlotte, it’s Gilad Atzmon, author of The Wandering Who: A Study of Jewish Identity Politics. We are extremely pleased to report that Vigiler L has taken the reins to bring this concert and discussion together. As L searches for the proper venue (suggestions accepted), we anticipate with great eagerness Gilad’s arrival. Stay tuned

Comments?

Note: There was no Report for April 13

April 13: Eight Vigilers
April 20: Five Vigilers
“Israel”: No Right to Exist
Henry Herskovitz
Jewish Witnesses for Peace and Friends
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