Update: Picketers stage ‘die-in,’ speaking program outside Reed’s office

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The group Jewish Voice for Peace Rhode Island picketed outside of Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed’s office Thursday.

Today’s demonstration demanded that Senator Reed stop funding the Israeli Army in the Israel-Hamas war.

After the picket, there was be brief “die-in” on the sidewalk in front of the office, followed by a speaking program.

Sen. Reed’s office responded with the following statement:

“Senator Reed is actively working to achieve lasting peace and security for Israelis, Palestinians, and the region.  He has called for the secure release of hostages in tandem with a restored mutual ceasefire in Gaza.  And he voted for billions in humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza.”

Jewish Voice for Peace Rhode Island responded to Reed with the following statement:

Senator Reed’s office did not provide ABC6 with accurate information. Their statement factually misrepresents Senator Reed’s actions during the ongoing assault against the people of Gaza, where more than 30,000 people have been killed in what the International Court of Justice has called a plausible genocide.

The humanitarian aid Senator Reed voted on was only a small fraction of a massive military spending bill which sent more than $14 billion to the Israeli military as Israel conducts countless war crimes. How can Senator Reed, as Chair of the Senate Committee on Armed Services, not understand the hypocrisy in using Rhode Islanders’ tax dollars to send more weapons than food and medicine? We call on Senator Reed to call publicly for an end to military support for Israel and an immediate ceasefire.