By Sean Nestor
Last Friday, several peace activists protesting the ongoing genocide of Palestinians by the Israeli government demonstrated in downtown Toledo resulting in six arrests. The action took place in front of the Ohio Building, where U.S. Senator Jon Husted has an office.
Several humanitarian organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have determined that the Israeli government is attempting a genocide of the Palestinian people. Despite this, Israel has continued to receive military and financial support from the United States, a geopolitical ally. By protesting the offices of Senator Husted, peace activists aimed to influence Senator Husted into ceasing support for Israel.
Arriving at 9 a.m., protesters took turns decrying the genocide and the U.S. government’s role in supporting it. Some then ran yellow tape across the front doors of the building which read “crime scene – do not cross.” This led to building manager Dean Ball arriving to confront the protesters; when they refused to take down the tape, Ball contacted the Toledo Police Department.
Police arrived shortly thereafter and made unsuccessful attempts to convince the protesters to cease blocking the building entrance. While in conversation with the negotiating officer, one of the demonstrators, Mike Ferner, stated: “There are five different laws being broke every time Husted and the other members of Congress vote for money for weapons to Israel. They are breaking the law every time they vote, and if nobody else is going to enforce the law, we will.”
Six protesters – Al Compaan, Mike Ferner, Susan Kuehn, Nancy Larson, Stephen Masternak, and Tom McDonald – eventually sat down in front of the doors, physically blocking the doorways and resulting in their arrests. Each was charged with a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct and released shortly after.
In response to the action, Senator Husted’s office released a statement saying “Senator Husted supports all Ohioans’ First Amendment right to peacefully assemble and make their voices heard.”
The action was motivated in part by the Global Sumud Flotilla, a fleet of 42 boats with civilians from over 44 countries attempting to deliver food and medical supplies to Palestinians in spite of an Israeli blockade in place since 2009. All 42 boats were intercepted and boarded by the Israeli military between October 1 and 3, with all participants arrested and imprisoned.
Among the participants in the flotilla was Toledoan Philip Tottenham, a 47-year Marine Corps veteran. Many of the protesters on Friday held signs with pictures of Philip that said, “Guilty of Delivering Aid to Gaza.” Tottenham has not been heard from since the boat he sailed on, the Ohwayla, was intercepted.
In an interview taken shortly before the interception, Tottenham explained that he committed himself to opposing settler colonialism after reflecting on the bloody history behind his own family legacy. “My ancestors were part of the original 300 Texas settlers who came over with Stephen F. Austin and slaughtered and murdered the indigenous people. Now that I can see what’s going on and see the world for what it is, I can see white supremacy for what it is.” He sees the situation in Israel as a form of white settler colonialism against the indigenous Palestinian population.
One of the activists in attendance, Ramon Perez, connected the genocide and displacement of Palestinians to the history of indigenous populations in the Americas. “We’re here to support our brothers and sisters not only here in these states but also in Palestine. We want to make sure that you all have a home, because they took ours.”
Pictured: Six peace activists obstruct the entrance to the Ohio Building, site of U.S. Senator Jon Husted’s Toledo office. The protesters, who were later arrested, are seeking an end to the genocide of Palestinians by the Israeli government. (Photo credit: Sean Nestor)