By Bay City News.
The federal building in Oakland was filled Monday afternoon with hundreds of Jewish protesters and other activists calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
According to organizers, more than 700 people had planned to “occupy” the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building on Clay Street to protest military actions in Gaza that were sparked by a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7.
People wearing T-shirts reading “Jews say ceasefire now” and banners reading “Not in our name” and “Let Gaza live” filled the area, the perimeter of which was sealed off by Oakland police. A ceasefire song could now be heard echoing around the rotunda.
According to Jewish Voice for Peace, organizer of the event, the action was part of a national week of Jewish-led protests calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, where demonstrators demanded that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris follow the example of U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Filmmaker and activist Boots Riley participated in the protest and posted a video of the sit-in on social media platform X, saying: “The government of Israel does not act on behalf of or represent the Jewish people.”
Oakland City Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas also released a letter Monday to President Joe Biden and members of Congress in X calling for a ceasefire.
“The humanitarian crisis and the loss of thousands of innocent civilian lives in Palestine and Israel is unforgivable and inhumane,” he wrote. “The continued loss of children is a failure of humanity.”
Bas also called for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza.
“I condemn the current slaughter of innocent Palestinian lives,” he added. “I condemn the killing of innocent Israeli lives in the October 7 attack. “This violence takes place in the context of the current occupation of Gaza, which is contrary to international law.”
At least one protester was arrested Monday at the Federal Building.
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