Remember what happened with the Christmas-tree-lighting ceremony at Westlake back in November? The first night of Hanukkah at Westlake may be somewhat different, as Jews stage a protest in solidarity with other recent Black Lives Matter protests.
  • Alex Garland
  • Remember what happened with the Christmas-tree-lighting ceremony at Westlake back in November? The first night of Hanukkah downtown may be somewhat different, as Jews stage a protest in solidarity with other recent Black Lives Matter protests.

Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah, and there's going to be a menorah-lighting ceremony downtown, and protesters are planning to attend. That all may sound sort of familiar so far, but here's the different part: this protest is being staged by Jews who want the downtown menorah-lighting ceremony used as a platform for supporting racial justice.

"The action will take place at Pacific Place at 6pm and is part of 'Chanukah Action to End Police Violence,' a national day of action with events in over 15 cities," says the group Jewish Voices for Peace in a statement. "By showing solidarity with the Ferguson Action and Black Lives Matter national movements, JVP-Seattle and allies seek to reinforce the central demands of both movements. In addition, they support people of color-led movements in Seattle who seek accountability from the Seattle Police Department, and an end to police violence against communities of color in Seattle."

The protesters plan to recite the Mourners Kaddish "for victims of police violence," and they plan to dedicate the menorah-lighting ceremony "to Michael Brown and the countless unarmed Black men, women and children who have been unjustly killed by police." They will be calling on other Jews to "mobilize and act to end white supremacy." Look for updates on our Twitter feed, @strangerslog.