Jewish Voice for Peace Protest Seder Demands Release of Abducted Students

Passover Seder for Liberation

• 💡 Jewish Voice for Peace organized a protest seder outside NYC immigration offices on the third night of Passover.
• 🎯 The protest demanded the release of immigrant activists, including Palestinian Columbia University students Mahmoud Khalil and Mohsen Mahdawi, who were detained by ICE.
• ✊ Attendees emphasized that Passover is a celebration of liberation and that liberation must extend to everyone, specifically mentioning Palestinians.

Legal Challenges and Solidarity

• ⚖️ Ramsey Kasm, a lawyer representing detained students, shared an account of a masked ICE agent claiming they were "just doing as we're told."
• 🙏 Kasm expressed gratitude for the protesters' solidarity, calling it a true Passover tradition and a stand against "genocide" and "abduction and detention."
• 🗣️ Linda Sarsour spoke, thanking the protesters for being on the front lines and stating "Not in our name" to current administrations and the Netanyahu administration.

Symbolism of Water and Liberation

• 💧 Rabbi Abby Stein discussed the tradition of the Cup of Miriam, symbolizing water and its connection to feminist and queer liberation.
• 🌍 Stein highlighted the significance of water for Palestinians, contrasting access to national water with the need to collect their own, symbolizing occupation and oppression.
• 🏳️‍🌈 The concept of liberation was extended to include queer liberation, noting how LGBTQ+ Palestinians face threats and control, emphasizing that liberation is for all people, land, and water.