We came to defend American democracy, not to be blindsided by hate

As proud activists, we attended the No Kings rally at the City County Building downtown this past Saturday. Decked with clever signs, we arrived early and were invigorated by the size and the enthusiasm of the crowd that was gathering. There was an aura of camaraderie and community. Throngs of people were gathered to protest what we worry is the increasing diminishment of democracy under the current administration. Selfies were taken and videos filmed. We were proud and pleased to be there and stand with thousands of other Pittsburghers and millions of Americans in cities around the country.

Knowing that the protest could include progressives whose focus is addressing issues involving the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict, we were aware but not surprised to see some “Free Palestine” flags in the crowd and some people wearing keffiyehs. We’re strong proponents of free speech, so we saw that as unfortunate but acceptable. The speakers began — one discussing the threat to our legal principles, another focused on the threat to our scientific institutions (especially central here in Pittsburgh), etc. The crowd was energized and unified.

But then Jacob Blumenstein was introduced, representing Jewish Voices for Peace. Though his appearance was not on any published agenda, he was clearly invited to speak by the rally organizers. He introduced himself as a fourth-generation Pittsburgh Jew, and then proceeded to spout vitriol against Israel and against the Jewish community. He told this crowd of thousands that his Jewish community taught him “since [he] was 12 … that Palestinian people needed to die for Jews to feel safe.” He claimed that American soldiers were training with the IDF in Israel “to bring their tactics of oppression and weapons of surveillance here to use against us.” He did not once mention the current threats to American democratic principles, the authoritarian behavior of the Trump administration, or any other domestic policy issue that this rally was designed to address.

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Again, as advocates for free speech we understand that he was entitled to his opinion. We simply cannot fathom why his remarks were included in a rally whose sole focus was on lifting up American democracy.

It was honestly a gut-punch to listen as he hijacked the purpose of the rally and divided this previously unified rally crowd. As the chants of “Free Palestine” swelled and fists were pumped into the air, we felt so uncomfortable and betrayed that we turned and left before he had even handed back the microphone. On our way out we encountered many others, Jewish and non-Jewish, who felt the same and were all headed away from the rally. One woman was so angry that she was visibly shaking.

We accept this speaker’s right to feel and to espouse what he and his organization believe. But we absolutely resent being deceived into attending this rally, whose national stated purpose was a singular focus on the threat to America’s democracy, and having that unity and positive energy be fractured by his hateful and divisive speech. PJC

Meryl Ainsman is a longtime leader in the Pittsburgh and national Jewish communities. Sue Berman is a retired clinical psychologist and now works full-time as a volunteer with Jewish and other community nonprofit organizations.