Hello loved ones,
After just over a week of planning and organizing using the amazing Ceasefire Carols toolkit, more than 60 carolers gathered at Peacock Lane last Sunday to sing for peace, justice, and a free Palestine.
We met in the parking lot at Unity Spiritual Center of Portland, emailed our Reps, practiced the songs, and prayed together.
Carrying billowing paper doves on 7ft bamboo poles, and signs with painted holly leaves declaring “Love Thy Neighbor” and “Ceasefire Now,” we descended upon Peacock Lane - where a crowd of two thousand (or so) migrated shoulder-to-shoulder up and down Portland’s famous one-block “Christmas Street”. I can only imagine this crowd consisted of Democrats, Republicans, and many people who consider themselves “not political.”
We began singing carols with rewritten lyrics like:
We wish for the liberation
Of the Palestinian nation
An end to the occupation
And a happy new year!
While singing, we were met mostly with curiosity. Folks stopped to take photos and videos, clap, and sing along. A little girl danced with her mother, a father bounced his child on his shoulders in rhythm with the sleigh bells.
As our first set of carols drew to a close, I led our group in a few rounds of chants
Free Free Palestine!
Down down with the occupation! Up up with liberation!
Almost immediately, folks in the crowd became very angry. A few people charged the group, screaming, trying to tear down our banner or signs. I heard boos and passersby shouting, “It’s Christmas! Can we please take the politics out of here?!” A resident on the street asked us to leave.
For a moment, I began to fear for the safety of our carolers in such a crowded, hostile environment. Thankfully, we had organized trained peacekeepers to deescalate the more enraged folks. And, quickly, I pivoted us back to singing.
And when we did, just as quickly as it had shifted to hostile, the mood shifted back to peaceful, welcoming, and curious.
This moment feels monumental to me. For years, I have believed deeply in the power of song to disarm, connect, and open hearts. But, never before had I seen the contrast so vividly. We stayed for two more rounds of our six carols, and while we sang, folks engaged, asked questions, and thanked us for this action.
Of course, there’s still a time and place for chanting, but I am so moved to have witnessed song create an opening in a space where chanting couldn’t.
Though folks are painfully divided, I don’t believe this should be a controversial issue. All of us want peace and justice for all the people of this earth. Too many of us have been raised to believe that our safety must come at the expense of someone else’s. But, in reality, all liberation is entwined. True peace and safety will never come through bombs, war, or genocide. It can only come through healing, justice, and equality for all people - from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea.
This Christmas, I pray for peace on earth, and for profound, transcendent healing for all of her precious inhabitants.
You can find all the songs here
We are sharing daily videos on The People’s Church IG
Listen to the news story about our action, aired on XRAY FM:
And here was the KGW story:
And here's a Fast Company article about the creator of Ceasefire Carols, and features one of our videos! <3
Thank you, again, to my beautiful husband and community for your endless support as I obsessively planned this action. I feel so blessed and grateful to be part of this love.
Warmly,
Suzanna
p.s. I’ve turned off “liking” and “commenting” on my posts, but I love and welcome email replies! <3