In D.C., New York and beyond, Jews mark annual day of mourning by protesting Trump immigration policies



Members of the Jewish community typically observe Tisha B’Av, the annual day of mourning, by fasting, reading from the book of lamentations and going to temple. But on Sunday, more than 250 Jews from the Washington region spent the day under the searing afternoon sun at Lafayette Square, across from the White House, protesting the Trump administration’s immigration policies.

Some came in large groups from their synagogues, sporting matching T-shirts and signs that read “Never Again.” Others, like 87-year old Ann Ingram and her 59-year-old daughter, Julie Ingram, had never observed Tisha B’Av before, but felt compelled to mark the occasion for the first time this year.

They were joined by thousands more across the country who attended similar protests in Los Angeles, Philadelphia and 60 other locations — the latest manifestations of a growing wave of activism among Jews opposed to the Trump administration’s immigration policies, which some argue are reminiscent of the way Jewish people have been treated in the past.

In July, 10 Jewish demonstrators were arrested during a sit-in at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement headquarters in Southwest Washington. On Sunday, dozens of protesters in New York, including some rabbis, were arrested after conducting a prayer service outside the Amazon store in downtown Manhattan to protest what they argue is the tech company’s collaboration with ICE, organizers said.

Authorities asked demonstrators to leave the store and threatened to arrest those who refused, said Sophie Ellman-Golan, a representative of Jews for Racial and Economic Justice, one of the organizing groups in New York. Around 5:30 p.m., a bus arrived to transport the 40 or so protesters who chose to stay in the store despite the risk of arrest, she added.

“On this day, to take action against something like this feels particularly poignant,” Ellman-Golan said.







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