Peaceful protest in Durham on first night of Hanukkah
DURHAM (WTVD) -- Dozens of protesters joined the national debate focused on police profiling and they did it on the first night of Hanukkah.
The rally on Durham's CCB Plaza Tuesday night was calm and peaceful, nothing like what played out in the streets Saturday night. While the event was more in line with what police and city leaders want to see, the message calling for justice did not change.
Participants used the first night of Hanukkah to sing songs in Hebrew and read from the scriptures. However, a closer look showed it was not your average Hanukkah celebration. In one hand, someone held a protest sign reading, "Black Lives Matter," and in the other hand they held a menorah.
Activist group, CJJ, which stands for Carolina Jews for Justice, rallied in solidarity with the nationwide protests over the shootings of unarmed black men at the hands of police.
"As a Jew, as a Durhamite, I want to stand in solidarity with black people and communities of color and to show that black lives do matter," said event participant Jack Holtzman, who attended with his daughter, Danya.
"For my Judaism, it really emphasizes allying yourself with the underdog and allying yourself with a minority," Danya said.
The Hanukkah rally stood in stark contrast to the scene in Durham three nights ago. Eleven people were arrested by Durham police dressed in riot gear. It was latest in a string of chaotic Durham protests that once culminated in protesters shutting down the Durham Freeway.
CJJ is supporting a change.org petition urging Durham Police to de-escalate and demilitarize its response to the demonstrations.
This week, however, city leaders publicly praised the department's handling of the protests. The city council reminded residents of new city ordinances that ban nighttime marches or protesters wearing masks.
On Tuesday, there was no marching and no one wore a mask. It was peaceful solidarity.
"I think tonight for me is just about showing up and letting people know that at least I would like to stand with them", said event participant Aviva Starr.
Durham Police Chief Jose Lopez told ABC 11 Monday that he blames much of the protest chaos over the past several weeks on anarchist groups from outside the city. One of those groups is promoting another march in Durham on New Year's Eve.
