In a demonstration for human rights, 40 activists protested outside congressman Bill Foster’s holiday breakfast fundraiser located at the Office of Giamanco Law Partners, Ltd., in order to escalate their demand that Rep. Foster call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
The grassroots activists included Democratic Precinct Committeepeople, members of the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights (USCPR) and US Palestinian Community Network (USPCN), and various courageous individuals from the area. This action follows weeks of activism to demand that U.S. elected officials support a permanent ceasefire in Palestine, and ultimately, end the Israeli military occupation and apartheid system.
One participant, dressed as Santa Claus, read from a “Naughty or Nice” list, purposely “written in pencil, because people’s actions in the coming weeks could change their fate.” The nice list included the names of Congresspeople and Senators who have already called for a ceasefire, such as Senator Dick Durbin, and Reps. Jonathan Jackson, Delia Ramirez, Jesús “Chuy” García, and most recently, Lauren Underwood.
The naughty list included the names of prominent Republican leaders, as well as the Illinois Congresspeople who have yet to call for a ceasefire despite the hundreds of thousands of calls to their offices demanding one. Rounding out the naughty list were President Joseph R. Biden and Representative Bill Foster.
Activist Nick Sous, a USPCN member, recited the names of Palestinian infants who have been murdered by the Israeli military. They were remembered in a moment of silence by the crowd.
Another activist, Reem Townsend, made it clear that everyone in District 11 should consider pulling a Democratic ballot for Bill’s primary opponent, Qasim Rashid, a human rights lawyer who has unequivocally called for a ceasefire and has criticized the incumbent for his inaction.
Several Bill Foster supporters decided not to attend the fundraiser after protesters explained that the Congressman was refusing to call for a ceasefire and has taken hundreds of thousands of dollars from J Street, a self-described pro-Israel lobbying group, since assuming office.
Congressman Foster, who dodged constituents by entering through the back door, was ultimately escorted to his car by police after the protest had fully dispersed.
“We have tried the traditional methods of lobbying our Congressman yet he remains inflexible on this issue,” said Reem Townsend, activist and Democratic Precinct Committeeperson from Bolingbrook. “We will continue to fight. We hope any time he spends in the district this holiday season will be uncomfortable, while Israel murders hundreds of Palestinian people daily in Gaza with our tax dollars, military intelligence and hardware, and his knowing consent.”
“If Congressman Foster thinks this issue will go away on its own, he is wrong,” said David Cannon, activist and Democratic Precinct Committeeperson from Aurora. “It seems the voters will have to decide in March if they want their tax dollars spent on genocide or if they want peace and justice. Personally, I will vote for change, because the status quo isn’t serving working class interests and is apparently morally bankrupt.”
— David Cannon, Democratic Precinct Committeeperson, Aurora 38