Worcester activists hold standout in front of McGovern’s office over Gaza; Northampton sit-in continues

From left, Gaza war protesters Jennifer Scarlott, Priscilla Lynch, Peter Kakos, Teresa Turner, Paki Wieland and Nick Mottern have occupied Rep. Jim McGovern’s Northampton office. Activists in Worcester planned to hold a standout at the congressman’s Worcester office on Thursday in solidarity with the activists from Northampton. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Protesters stand outside Rep. Jim McGovern’s Worcester office Thursday in solidarity with the Leahy Fast for Palestine Committee members occupying McGovern’s Northampton office. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

By JAMES PENTLAND

Staff Writer

Published: 03-14-2024 10:52 AM

Modified: 03-14-2024 5:47 PM

NORTHAMPTON — A group of Worcester activists held a standout Thursday in solidarity with a group of activists occupying Rep. Jim McGovern’s Northampton office.

The action, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. outside McGovern’s office at 12 E. Worcester St., drew 15 people in support of the group’s call for an end to arms shipments to Israel for use in the Gaza war.

Organizer Claire Schaeffer-Duffy said it was a multifaith contingent, with Muslim, Jewish and Christian members.

Nick Mottern, a member of the Leahy Fast for Palestine Committee, said Thursday the group planned to continue its sit-in at the congressman’s Northampton office for the rest of the day.

The group is calling on McGovern to demand an end to U.S. arms shipments to Israel, and to demand that the U.S. veto no more cease-fire resolutions at the United Nations.

Mottern said the activists spoke with McGovern Wednesday after he gave a speech on the floor of Congress urging that the delivery of weapons be halted unless and until Israel allows a free flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Mottern said the group’s demand is for an unconditional halt to military aid.

“We do not support the notion of saying to the Israelis, ‘If you allow aid in to Gaza, we’ll continue to ship weapons,’ ” he said.

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