Activists march for 'Shut it Down for Palestine Movement' through downtown Syracuse

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Friday evening, about three dozen protesters marched from Clinton Square to the Landmark Theater with continued calls for ceasefire in Gaza as part of the "Shut it Down for Palestine" movement. Protesters chanted through megaphones at a line of people entering the theater to see prominent comedian Jerry Seinfeld.

Tara Sandlin, of the Syracuse Party for Socialism and Liberation who helped organize the march, says they chose to rally outside the theater because Seinfeld is one of many celebrities who signed an open letter in October voicing their support for Israel, demanding that Hamas release hostages taken in the Oct. 7 attack that left over 1,200 Israelis dead.

Since then, the Health Ministry in Gaza reports that the Israeli military has killed over 17,000 Palestinians; the barrage of airstrikes has displaced nearly 2 million people who now face a humanitarian crisis.

“While the government is part of it, the other part of it is the people who fund the government, the lobbyists but also artists, cultural workers, and people who give cover to world events by either taking a stance or not taking one,” Sandlin said.

She clarified that they are not protesting outside the Landmark because Seinfeld is Jewish and said this is not about going after Jewish people or Judaism— organizers saying they have repeatedly denounced antisemitism.

Sandlin said they are raising awareness and pointing out that Seinfeld has defended the actions of the state of Israel, which has killed thousands of Palestinian civilians in its goal to eradicate the terrorist group Hamas.

While they don't plan to stop protesting outside government offices, they are exploring a new tactic.

I'm sure if Joe Biden were here, we would be going after him instead.

It's been two months since the Hamas attack on Israeli citizens and the ensuing attacks Israel perpetrated against Palestinian civilians. Free Palestine protests began in the aftermath of the violence, and they won’t stop anytime soon.

The protest remained peaceful throughout the evening; CNY Central's crews did not see direct animosity between people heading into the theater to see Seinfeld and the protesters outside. Two Syracuse police officers stood between the two crowds.