Jews, Christians hold rally, march
Pro-Israel supporters stage S.F. march
David Parrish, Chronicle Staff Writer Monday, June 24, 2002
A peaceful midday rally and march Sunday through downtown San Francisco served as a reminder to tourists, residents and other onlookers that serious issues such as terrorism and the Middle East conflict do not go away even when the city is enjoying one of its postcard-perfect days.
An estimated 3,000 Israeli supporters gathered under breezy, cobalt blue skies at 11 a.m. at the Civic Center Plaza, waving placards and shouting their support for Israel while speakers denounced terrorism and suicide bombers. Around noon they started their hourlong march down Market Street to Justin Herman Plaza, near the Ferry Building.
"We came to support Israel," said Riva Gavartin, an immigrant from Latvia who now lives in Palo Alto. "Israel has the right to exist."
The rally and march was organized by Grassroots for Israel and was billed as an anti-terrorism demonstration from a cross section of the Bay Area residents, both Jews and Christians.
"We want to send a loud and clear message that all Americans are united against terrorism, and that the U.S. needs to support Israel because they are on the front line in the battle against terrorism," said Jeff Halbrecht, co- founder of Grassroots for Israel.
With dozens of Israeli and American flags being waved, the march strung out over nearly five city blocks and was under constant police escort. The mostly middle-aged marchers engaged in anti-terrorism and pro-Israeli chants, and steered clear of direct attacks on Palestinians.
While there were a smattering of isolated hecklers along the route, mainly aroused street people, the only organized counter demonstration was from a group of about 40 who bore signs saying, "Jews for a just peace." Police kept the counter protesters away from the marchers.
"We are against terrorism, but we also think that what Israel is doing is terrorism," said Marisa Handler, a leader with the counter demonstrators and a former freelance writer for The Chronicle. ''We don't think violence is the route to peace."
Several of the marchers said they had given up part of their weekend because they felt helpless in the wake of a string of suicide bombings.
"We don't feel we can do anything," said Jessica Goldman, a San Francisco resident. "It's kind of difficult to be an American Jew."
For Gail Steele, a member of the Alameda County's Board of Supervisors, and her daughter, this was their first rally and march.
"I feel in Alameda County you can't speak out, there is an underlining feeling that Israel is wrong," Steele said. "I feel the prejudice -- I haven't felt that my whole life."
Steele said she like others marchers felt it was time to take a stand, and show her support for Israel.
E-mail David Parrish at dparrish@sfchronicle.com.
FReepers on scene - American Preservative, nastypumps, and two FRiends. Anyone FRelse?
Observations - Since this was billed as a march against Terror, I thought, finally, a place for coming together to express outrage and anger vocally after the many months of being "pacified" and "being taught" to be "tolerant" from the President on down. However, upon arriving at the Civic Center, it was obvious this too, was not going to be. Why? 'Cause the music being played over the loudspeakers was of the "Kumbaya" sort, and, imo, that was the tone of the march to be.
As I didn't really hear the speakers at the rally, I don't really know what kind of passion they spoke with, but, the march was relatively mild, imo (and I was towards the back, so, I don't know how it was up front.) A couple of guys had bullhorns, but, the chants I recall were, "Down with terror!" "Peace! Now!" "Teach your children not to hate!" (Oy vey.)
There was one group of about 30 Lefties at the Civic Center Plaza, on the plaza, near the rally. The police finally moved them aways away, but they were still on the plaza. (I wonder if the march organizers had a permit for the whole plaza, 'cause in the past, when we pro-Americans would counter the Lefties at the Plaza, we were told they (the Lefties) had a permit for the whole plaza and we would have to be across the street and were not allowed on the Plaza.)
When the march got on Market street, there was another group - they were about 10, mostly Arab. A couple of "woman of cover" (literally, head to toe in black dress) and some of the guys dressed in military fatigue pants. THEY had a bullhorn and used it til the batteries ran out (: )) (...but, then they got some more.) Loudly ranting, "FREE FREE PALESTINE!!" and "Allah Akbar!" "1,2,3,4 We don't want your Nazi-Racist War!" (Ah, the Lefties taught them well!), they followed us down Market St, blaring to all. A few people yelled at them every so often. Police on bikes were used as a moving barricade. (There may have a confrontation at the end of the march, but, I was away from it.) Some marchers tried singing "peace" songs to counter them. (Can I say, "Oy Vey" again?)
The march ended at Justin Herman Plaza, singing the Israeli and American national anthems.
Maybe I missed seeing an "!"in the title and THAT energy (oldlizzie, d-m-i, CCC, and CG you were missed! ; )), but, hey, it was good first major effort by Grassroots, imo. After all, this is San Francisco - so to see American and Israeli flags and 3 thousand people marching down Market Street, had to be "fantastic" to some!