Proponents of a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war demonstrated Saturday outside an Oceanside senior center where Rep. Mike Levin held a town hall.
About 100 people from various groups including Jewish Voice for Peace San Diego, Orange County for Justice in Palestine, Orange County Democratic Socialists of America and the San Diego for Palestine Coalition, stood outside for two hours holding signs and repeating chants in favor of a ceasefire and an end to U.S. military assistance to Israel for the war, according to organizers.
“It really is the goal of our organization and our coalition partners to do everything that we can to put an end to the violence that’s unfolding, and we know that the U.S. government has the capability of doing that,” said Lily Ostrer, member of the Jewish Voice for Peace who led the rally.
The war resumed Friday with airstrikes in Gaza after a weeklong truce ended and failed to be extended.
Demonstrators said they have been working to pressure elected officials to publicly support a permanent truce. So, they organized outside Levin’s town hall. He represents the 49th Congressional District, which includes San Diego’s North County and south Orange County.
The protest didn’t disrupt the event — which was held inside the El Corazon Senior Center — but about a dozen protesters went inside to ask whether Levin would join other members of Congress who had called for a ceasefire.
In a video of the town hall obtained by The San Diego Union-Tribune, Levin said he would support one with conditions that “all the hostages are released, and we have to make sure that Hamas is no longer in power.”
Members of the Jewish Voice for Peace San Diego had also previously rallied outside Rep. Sara Jacob’s Office. Last month, the Congress member issued a statement saying, in part, “It is time for a bilateral ceasefire.”
Oceanside police Lt. Marcos Mendoza said the demonstration was peaceful and no arrests were made.
Saturday’s rally came after more than 100 pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted the December Nights tree-lighting event at Balboa Park Friday night. There were also no reports of violence or arrests.
