PROVINCETOWN — Calls for a ceasefire in Gaza were repeated by demonstrators who gathered both in Eastham and Provincetown on March 2.
In Eastham, the demonstration brought out a handful of people who haven’t previously been part of the anti-war “standout” that has met weekly across from town hall on the edge of the Windmill Green for at least 20 years, according to participant Matt McDonough of Harwich. The group’s focus changes, he said, as conflicts across the globe come to people’s attention.
The ongoing violence against Palestinians in Gaza has their attention now. As does the self-immolation of Aaron Bushnell, who grew up in Orleans. Bushnell, an active-duty member of the U.S. Air Force, was protesting the war outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 25. He died from his injuries at a hospital later that day. (See separate story)
The sky carried the threat of rain as the group sat in camping chairs, drumming and waving Palestinian flags. All in attendance were middle-aged and older, with some carrying signs connecting the events in Gaza to the anti-war movement that began in the Vietnam era. There were no chants or rallying cries: the atmosphere was quiet and contemplative, part rally and part vigil.
John Bangert of Harwich said he taught in Nauset High School’s alternative learning program in the 1980s, where he learned about Palestine from his students. Bangert said that Bushnell was in his thoughts and brought to mind his students’ protests against the U.S.’s covert backing of the Contras in Nicaragua in those years.
“This is a regular event that happens every Saturday, but this is my first time here,” said Farrukh Najmi of Wellfleet. What happened to Bushnell, he said, “has touched me to the core.”
Orleans resident Candace Hammond said it was also her first time attending the weekly Eastham event.
Hammond said she came because she feels “strongly that what’s happening in Gaza is wrong.” She said that she felt a connection to Bushnell because of his roots in Orleans.
Slowly, the group began to gather their belongings and organize a carpool to drive up to Provincetown to join a rally there, which began at 1 p.m. Saturday was the third time since the Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7 that protesters have gathered there.
Sam Bechtold, a West Barnstable-based organizer with the Southeastern Massachusetts Coalition for Free Palestine, opened the Provincetown protest by telling a crowd of about 40 people that, this time, “We want to make this a call to action. Our politicians are not going to listen if we’re just standing on the road with signs.”
Bechtold encouraged Democrats to send a message to party leaders by voting “no preference” at the presidential primary on March 5, a move he said was directly inspired by the 100,000 “uncommitted” votes cast in Michigan’s primary on Feb. 27 in protest of U.S. support for the Israeli military.
Demonstrators made their way from the library to town hall with chants for a ceasefire and a free Palestine.
Outside town hall, the Provincetown group’s organizer, Mike Sullivan, an artist and singer who lives in town, spoke of Bushnell’s death and of his desire to support the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund, a U.S.-based nonprofit that has provided medical care to children in Palestine since 1991.
Sullivan said the gathering raised about $800 by selling T-shirts and sweatshirts printed with “Free Palestine.” He said organizers plan to donate the money to PCRF.
