Watermelon Seeds and Civil Disobedience: Updates from the Greater Philadelphia Area Branch

Cherrill Spencer, Diane Blais, and Tina Shelton at No to NATO Rally in Lafayette Square Park on July 7, 2024; Photo credit Tina Shelton, used with permission

by Tina Shelton
Greater Philadelphia Area Branch Co-Chair

July/August 2024
 
Greater Philadelphia Area Branch continues to advocate for peace in the Middle East, anti-racism and the peaceful transformation of our world.

Our round-up of recent activities kicks off in April when we had four Branch members participate in a planned civil disobedience action organized by Fridays at Fetterman’s — an on-going peaceful weekly vigil held outside of Senator Fetterman’s office since early December. As part of the action, the anti-war activists attempted to deliver 33,000 watermelon seeds to Senator Fetterman’s office, symbolically recognizing the lives lost in Gaza at that time. These actions have and will continue to be a presence against our Senator’s intractable stance in support of the perpetrators of genocide.

Those involved attended a training in nonviolent disobedience prior to the event. The action resulted in 18 arrests, including the detention of WILPF member Sylvia Metzler. Other WILPF members Laurie Pollock, Tremaine Smith and Tina Shelton were part of support teams. The Branch is an endorsing organization of Fridays at Fetterman’s and is engaged in efforts to support changing the narrative and raising up voices of peace.

Also in April, members participated in action against Day and Zimmerman, a weapons supplier for Israel Defense Forces. On April 5th, WILPF and other groups opposed to the ongoing genocide in Palestine, made possible by US weapons, protested outside the offices of Day and Zimmerman, announcing the delivery of a ‘Cease and Comply’ letter to stop the use of their armaments in Gaza. Tara Vassefi from the DC, Maryland and Virginia (DMV) Branch was also a part of this action.

Photo of Sylvia Metzler, seated, with hat holding Let Gaza Live sign; Credit: Robert Boucher, permission granted

Branch activities continued as we encouraged each other to attend our National Congress at the end of May and participated in training for our continued diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) work. We also supported the Vets for Peace in their Maine to DC Peace Walk 2024 when they came through Philadelphia. As part of the coalition that welcomed and planned events for the walkers, our members were able to both support and be inspired by the walkers. Activities included actions at Day and Zimmerman (again), in front of Israel Bonds Fund, at the Navy Yard, as well as a film screening about Daniel Ellsberg, whose life is being honored by the walkers.

In June, we participated in the World Beyond War Peace Wave, the Poor People’s Campaign in DC on June 29th and the Philadelphia Task Force for Reparations also held on June 29th. Members of our Branch have committed to join the work of being research team members for the Reparations Task Force. Also in June, our Branch participated in legislative advocacy against a bill that would make divestment efforts more difficult, which is of great concern right now as pressure from the public mounts, including pressure from student activists on college campuses.

Our Branch continues to be grateful for MEPJAC member Genie Silver’s weekly curated email keeping us abreast of the most important news coming from Israel and Palestine, not just the mainstream’s top stories.  And, in July, WILPF member Tina Shelton joined with other WILPF members in DC for the “No NATO, Yes Peace” actions that our National Board has endorsed. We were heartened to hear and see the enthusiasm for pushing back against the destructive power of the US led military aggressor that NATO is. In particular, witnessing the Resist NATO actions led by younger folks of color illustrates that the movements for peace are growing. Specifically, the increasing diversity of the movement in support of Palestinian lives, especially among the young people in our country, reveals a growing dissatisfaction with the world as we know it. A growing people-power movement is one that the Greater Philadelphia Branch is proud to be a part of!