Boston WILPFers in solidarity
From left, Barbara Stahler-Sholk, one of the imams of the mosque, Joan Ecklein, and David Rothauser. Photo courtesy Barbara Stahler-Sholk.
By Barbara Stahler-Sholk, Boston Branch
Joan Ecklein, a long-time WILPF member and leader, and David Rothauser, film producer and director and teacher, were among those at the Boston protest march on August 19, 2017. We held the WILPF banner on the steps of the mosque of the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center for several hours while an estimated 15,000 people gathered across the street at Roxbury Community College’s Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center in preparation for the march to the Boston Common in strong protest of the neo-Nazi rally.
The mayor of Boston attended the march in solidarity! A Black Lives Matter float led the march. Roxbury is the African American section of Boston and has suffered the economic, social, and other consequences of racism. The people at the mosque were especially hospitable: they let us, and anyone who asked, use the bathroom; they gave us and others cold water; and they brought us chairs to sit on while we held the banner. We had the pleasure of speaking with one of the imams of the mosque.
The day was an exceptional experience.
For more on the Boston counterprotest, see articles in:
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