The protesters, which included a large contingent of passionate 91����Ƶ students, faculty and staff, held signs and banners with demands such as: “Ceasefire Now,” “Let Gaza Live,” “Stop Genocide in Gaza” and “Free All Hostages and Prisoners.” 

They joined together in nearly an hour of hymns led by Benjamin Bergey, assistant professor of music at 91����Ƶ, and Dorothy Jean Weaver ’72, emeritus professor at Eastern Mennonite Seminary. 

While the protesters lifted their voices in song and prayed for peace, Tim Seidel, associate professor of peacebuilding, development and global studies at 91����Ƶ, and Emily Hershberger MA ’12 hand-delivered a petition to Harrisonburg City Manager Ande Banks ’97 inside City Hall. More than 500 local signatures are attached to the petition, which urges Harrisonburg City Council to pass a resolution supporting a permanent cease-fire in the Gaza Strip. 

Seidel organized Tuesday’s protest along with the local committee of . The primary goals of the Mennonite Action grassroots movement are a permanent cease-fire in Gaza, a release of all hostages and an end to Israel’s occupation of Palestine. 

Heartened by the healthy turnout, Seidel said the protest provided a powerful witness to elected officials, both at the local and national levels. 

“This momentum is a testimony to the grief people are feeling and their conviction and desire to see change,” Seidel said.

As 91����Ƶ senior Aidan Yoder posted photos and video of the protest to the Harrisonburg Mennonite Action social media accounts, he estimated that about 40 of his fellow students had shown up to demonstrate. 

“I think we really showed City Council that the people of Harrisonburg want a cease-fire and that we support them passing this resolution,” he said. 

For 91����Ƶ junior Emma Nord, the demonstration marked the first protest she’s attended. The student chaplain often leads hymn sings on campus and reflected on the power of song as a form of protest.

“It’s wonderful to see Mennonites coming together and acknowledging the crisis … to proclaim that genocide is wrong,” she said. 

For a visual recap of the impactful protest, explore our curated photo gallery below.