National Day of Resistance: Protests form as violence continues in Gaza
Students for Justice in Palestine called for a National Day of Resistance Thursday "in support of brutal terrorist attacks on Israel,” and campuses across the United States responded with demonstrations.
Israel's armed forces have been bombarding Gaza for several days in retaliation for Saturday's Hamas attack in Israeli territory that killed at least 1,300 and left behind a trail of atrocities that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called "depravity in the worst imaginable way.''
What is a National Day of Resistance?
“We must continue to resist directly, through dismantling Zionism and wielding the political power that our organizations hold on our campuses and in our communities,” the Students for Justice in Palestine said in a release. “We are asking chapters to host demonstrations on campus/in their community in support of our resistance in Palestine and the national liberation struggle — one which they play a critical role in actualizing.”
The protests were held Thursday at college campuses, but it’s expected to grow on Friday, which leaves police departments, as well as parents, worried about what the day will bring.
Some schools are closing for the day Friday, while others are monitoring the situation.
Some companies have told employees to work remotely on Friday out of an abundance of caution.
Ongoing battles: Airstrike in Gaza refugee camp kills 45, may stoke violence amid calls for protests: Live updates
The Israeli bombardment has killed more than 1,400 people in Gaza. A White House spokesman said Thursday the U.S. death toll from the Hamas attacks rose to 27, and 14 remain missing.
Thursday’s demonstrations had supporters of both sides present, which creates the concern for violence.
Is Friday a concern in Ocean or Monmouth counties?
The Matawan Police Department Police Department posted on social media that it is preparing for any issues, but so far, things have been calm.
“Currently, there are no known credible threats to New Jersey or our community,” the post read. “However, the East Brunswick Police Department has increased security in and around sensitive locations throughout the Township of East Brunswick out of an abundance of caution.
"The Matawan Police Department is actively monitoring the events in the Middle East as they unfold," the department posted Thursday. "Earlier today, we became aware of information circulating via social media and other outlets regarding a 'call to action' for tomorrow, Friday, October 13th. We will continue to receive intelligence and informational updates through communications with our county, state and federal partners as these events continue and we will act accordingly to provide a safe community for our residents and visitors.
"We have been in contact with officials from the Borough of Matawan and the Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District. While we have not received any credible threats, out of an abundance of caution, we have increased our scheduled staffing for tomorrow and will have an increased police presence at our school, parks and public buildings.
"We ask that you remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police department via 9-1-1 or our non-emergency number 732-566-1010."
Tensions rose Thursday when former Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal told Muslims to show their support.
"(We must) head to the squares and streets of the Arab and Islamic world on Friday," Meshaal, who currently heads Hamas' diaspora office, told Reuters. "Tribes of Jordan, sons of Jordan, brothers and sisters of Jordan … This is a moment of truth."
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: National Day of Resistance in response to Israel-Palestine fighting
