Masked protesters disrupt Pomona college October 7 memorial speech by survivor - Michael Starr

 

by Michael Starr

Masked intruders shouting “Zionists not welcome” disrupted a Pomona College October 7 memorial event featuring a survivor’s lecture.

 

Students take part in an anti-Israel protest at Columbia University in New York City last month. Many students demonstrating against Israel likely do not know basic facts about the Mideast, the writer argues.

(photo credit: JEENAH MOON/REUTERS)

A Pomona College October 7 memorial event featuring a lecture by a massacre survivor was disrupted by masked intruders on Wednesday, according to the Claremont College and local Hillel organization.

During the Hebrew calendar anniversary memorial of the October 7 massacre, four protesters, concealing their faces with keffiyehs, entered the Hart Room through a locked fire door and shouted, “Zionists not welcome here!”

Security personnel intervened, and according to Claremont Hillel, the protesters were quickly removed.

Pomona President Gabrielle Starr and Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Avis Hinkson said in a statement that the college was investigating the incident. Footage was being reviewed to determine how the protesters gained access to the event, said Starr and Hinkson, and if the unidentified individuals were connected to the college, they would be subjected to “every appropriate disciplinary action.”

“It is both outrageous and cruel to interrupt a space where members of our community come together to mourn. Antisemitic hate cannot be tolerated here. Our community is better than this,” said the Pomona leaders. “While this event was most deeply painful, and even frightening, for those present last night, it should shake our community that anyone would act so despicably on our campus.”

Students participate in a pro-Palestinian protest outside of the Columbia University campus on November 15, 2023 in New York City. (credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Claremont Hillel said that it was working with the Pomona administration to prevent such an incident from occurring again and to ensure that Hillel events remained “a safe and welcoming space for Jewish life on campus.”

'It was jarring and deeply upsetting'

“It was jarring and deeply upsetting to have our time of mourning interrupted in this way,” Hillel said in a statement. “What matters most is that we are not intimidated. We are strong – and even stronger together. Despite the interruption, we ended the night as we began: in community, dancing together to celebrate the safe return of our hostages and holding fast to hope.”

The event saw October 7 massacre survivor Yoni Viloga speak about his experiences, followed by a memorial service. 

Michael Starr

Source: https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-870933

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