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Staff photos by Krista Musa

Taking It To The Streets

Grassroots e ort puts community support for Israel
and protests of escalating violence into public view.

RONELLE GRIER

Special to the Jewish News

I

IVO

t4
4/5
2002

14

n scenes reminiscent of the late
1960s, groups of children, par-
ents and grandparents gathered
Monday to carry hand-painted
signs to protest the mounting violence
against Israel.
"After the Haifa blast last weekend,
`What can I do?' was the big question
on everyone's lips," said Don Cohen
of West Bloomfield, community
activist and Israel advocacy consultant,
who organized the demonstrations. "I
was looking for a way to channel peo-
ple's energy into something grassroots,
positive and public."
With only one day's notice, Cohen
asked volunteers to help organize
groups to stage peaceful demonstra-

tions. The six intersection's in Detroit's
northwest suburbs. included locations
in Oak Park, Farmington Hills and
West Bloomfield. Participants were
asked to make and carry signs convey-
ing their support for Israel and calling
for an end to the violence. They went
to their locations during the Monday
afternoon rush hour.
"The goal was not just to gather, but
also to advocate," Cohen said.
Joanna Abramson of West
Bloomfield, with 9-year-old son
Jonathan and infant Julia in tow, organ-
ized a group that worked the corner 'of
Lone Pine and Orchard Lake roads.
She carried a sign reading, "Support
Israel — Where it's 9-11 Every Day."
"We're tired of just sitting back
watching the news on TV," said
Abramson, who helped Cohen organize

the demonstrations. "We
lot of relatives there," she said.
Joanna and Julia
"We're tired of the double
have to let Israel know we
Abramson take to
standard,"
said Andrea Gonik
support them. We desper-
the streets to show
of West Bloomfield. "Terrorism
ately want peace, and the
support for Israel
is not OK anywhere."
road to peace can't be
A passing West Bloomfield
found through violence."
police officer cautioned the protesters
A Jewish couple on their way home
to be careful and not stand too close
from a local restaurant stopped to -
to the curb.
talk with some of the demonstrators.
"They (the protesters) are doing the
right thing," said Gene Smolyansky
Positive Reactions
of West Bloomfield. "We have to
Sharon Krasner of Oak Park rallied the
destroy the terrorist infrastructure,
largest group of street demonstrators —
and CNN [Cable News Network]
more than 30 strong —sin front of the
and NPR [National Public Radio]
Oak Park Jewish Community Center.
have been reporting the news in a
"People told us it raised their spirits
very distorted way."
to see people out there doing some-
Lauren Rapp of West Bloomfield
carried a sign that read, "Life in Terror thing for Israel," Krasner said.
is No Life at All."
STREETS on page 19
"I support Israel 100 percent. I have a