Women in Black protest war in weekly silent vigils
The Knoxville chapter of the international group Women in Black marked its second anniversary earlier this month. They began protests in front of a downtown federal building on April 2, 2002.
About 50 women of various ages, ethnic groups and religions protest the conflict between Israel and Palestine over the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
The Knoxville group was started from watching the violence going on in those areas on Arab television, said Mary Harb, one of the chapter founders and a Palestinian Christian.
“We had to do something to stop the killing,” Harb said. “We called friends and relatives who wanted to stand for peace, like the women in Israel.”
The Women in Black organization was founded 16 years ago when a small group of Israeli Jewish women dressed in black stood on a busy street corner in Jerusalem to protest their government’s occupation of Palestinian lands. Their model of protest caught on around the world.
“I stand here for peace,” said Renee Jubran, who fled the Palestinian territories and has lived in Knoxville for 25 years.
“I lost my home, and it’s very sad and unjust. So I stand here with Jews and Muslims, and we all pray for peace and to end the occupation. If we can end the occupation, there will be peace.”
The women believe peace will come when everyone unites.
“We stand here as a microcosm of the world,” said Jewish member Corinne Rovetti. “We stand here to represent the unity we feel should be present all over the world. We’re here to raise awareness.”
This week’s protest had a different twist to mark the anniversary. The women walked from the federal building to Market Square and formed a circle. Harb read a poem, and the women placed daisies at the center of the circle.
“We are trying to break down the wall of prejudices and have love and peace,” Harb said. “Hopefully we’ll achieve, with a little bit of work, a much bigger peace.”
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Information from: The Knoxville News Sentinel, http://www.knoxnews.com