The war in Israel and Palestine may be thousands of miles to the east, but its psychological toll is being felt far from the war zone.
Laurie Lingham holds a peace sign that says peace in Somali. (Photos by Jen Manell)
This past Sunday, Oct. 22, more than three dozen residents gathered for an hour at the corner of Ayer and Still River roads to demonstrate for peace. The group included children and adults, Jews, Muslims, and Christians, who held signs calling for peace and an end to the violence that has engulfed the region since Hamas terrorists attacked Israel Oct. 7.
The gathering was organized by members of the Social Justice Ministries Council of the Unitarian Universalist Church and by Arm in Arm, a local organization that promotes equity, dignity, respect, and diversity within the Harvard community.
Sarah Saleh of Arm in Arm.
“We are heartbroken by the recent and ongoing death and destruction in Palestine and Israel,” stated an invitation distributed by Arm in Arm last Friday. “We are horrified by the attacks on civilians and the prevention of humanitarian aid, which is critical for survival. We hold in our hearts everyone affected. Further violence will not bring about safety for anyone. Let’s come together to show we care.”
Many of the demonstrators held heart-shaped signs created by Groton artist Nadia Khan bearing the word “peace” written in one of nine different languages, from Arabic and Hebrew to Hindi and English. Others held signs that read “All life is precious, “We mourn all the dead,” and “Peace is the only option.”
“War is just wrong,” said one of the children at the event, in answer to a reporter’s question. “We shouldn’t have violence at all. There should be no need to demonstrate.”
Ginger Kendall, a member of the UU Church’s social justice ministry, said Arm in Arm had reached out to her organization for advice. “We decided we wanted to do something completely nonpolitical, nonbiased. We wanted to give people a chance to come together. We didn’t have time to organize speakers. We really made a concerted effort to try and have signs that were not in any way leaning toward one side or the other.” That was difficult, she said, because members of the two groups had such different perspectives. “But we felt we had to respond.”
Colleen Pearce, another organizer of Sunday’s event, said: “I think when problems are so intractable, it can break your heart. … Or you can find your voice and speak up for the one thing you know, and that is that
Faces showing, from left, Ginger Kendall, Faith Cross, Linda Hoffman, and Laurie Lingham.
