Jewish Voice for Peace hosts demonstration calling for ceasefire in Gaza

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Jewish Voice for Peace Rhode Island hosted a demonstration in Providence Sunday calling for a ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas War.

The group said that its main goal is to call on Sen. Jack Reed to agree to call for the ceasefire, as he is “a particularly powerful voice as chair of the Senate Armed Forces Committee.”

“We call on Sen. Reed to represent our demands for a full ceasefire, something none of our federal delegates have done in spite of overwhelming support among their constituents,” organizer Thea Riofrancos said.

Jewish Voice for Peace Rhode Island hosted a demonstration in Providence calling for a ceasefire in Gaza on Nov. 12, 2023. (WLNE)

The event featured Providence City Councilor Miguel Sanchez, who was recently fired from his position in Gov. Dan McKee’s office over his stance on the war.

“I would like you all to contact your city councilor, your state rep, your state senator, of course the federal delegation here in Rhode Island, and demand a ceasefire,” he said.

Sanchez added that the Providence City Council was one of the first legislative bodies in the country to formally call for a ceasefire.

“We will also hold an interactive art installation in commemoration of the more than 4,500 children killed by the Israeli military with the financial and political support of US Congress,” Riofrancos said.

Jewish Voice for Peace Rhode Island hosted a demonstration in Providence calling for a ceasefire in Gaza on Nov. 12, 2023. (WLNE)

This is the third protest calling for a ceasefire in the city in the last week, with one held by students representing Jews for Ceasefire Now at Brown leading to 20 arrests and another outside the Textron Building.