On the one-year anniversary of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, over 100 students, faculty, staff and community members gathered together in memory of those affected by the wars in Palestine, Israel and Lebanon. The vigil took place Monday, Oct. 7 at Scripps’ Elm Tree Lawn from approximately 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Many students and community members wore keffiyehs and held posters with photos of victims of the war. A total of seven speakers, four of which were staff and faculty of the 5Cs, shared a few words.
Among the speakers were representatives from Claremont Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), Nishmat at the 5Cs and the Claremont Muslim Student Association (MSA).
Around 4:30 p.m., the vigil began with a prayer and a poem inspired by Abel Meeropol’s “Strange Fruit,” asking for peace and patience for those in Palestine and their loved ones. The next student speaker acknowledged the many other communities affected, including Israeli, Lebanese, Syrian and Yemeni people.
“The Palestinian struggle is not theirs alone, but calls upon all of us to have our eyes open to the devastation and those who drive it,” a student speaker said.
At around 4:51 pm, the final student speaker, a member of JVP, emphasized that every human has the right to live in safety and freedom.
“As Jews, many of us are descendants of those who’ve survived a genocide and ethnic cleansing,” the speaker said. “Our ancestors taught us to never be bystanders in the face of injustice”.
One staff member shared their thoughts about the campus protests and encouraged students to continue expressing their values.
“As an employee of this academic institution, it’s disappointing that leaders of these institutions lack the ability to recognize apartheid,” the speaker said. “As Americans, my apologies to the Palestinian people because we failed them for a lifetime.”
Members of Nishmat then said a few words before they led the crowd in two prayers. The crowd was asked to form a close circle around a tree, remain close to the speakers and recite the names of those who lost their lives, which is a Jewish tradition.
“We are horrified that we do not have enough time today to read the names of [the] tens of thousands of people who have been senselessly killed in the last year,” the speaker said.
A member of Nishmat then led a moment of silence and waved their hand around the crowd during which people could recite the names of lost ones aloud or to themselves.
Papers were passed around the crowd with two prayers: the “Mourners’ Kaddish” and the “Mi Shebeirach.” The first of the prayers is meant to honor someone who has died and comfort those who are scared, while the second one is a prayer for healing.
“With [the Mi Shebeirach], protection is asked for those in harm’s way, especially those in Palestine and Lebanon who are suffering,” the speaker said.
Around 5:10 pm, both the prayers ended. Students then distributed flowers, lit candles, and gathered around a tree where a sign displayed ‘To the Innocent Martyrs of Gaza’.
The crowd then stood in silence as people taped posters of people who had lost their lives on the tree around the sign. Around 20 posters were taped to the tree, while on the floor, students placed flowers and candles.
“As we stand here today in a place of immense privilege with a government that funds the occupation, we must respond with unwavering solidarity,” a speaker said.
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