Chanukah Action shuts down Coolidge Corner with Black Lives Matter demonstration

A Black Lives Matter protest in Coolidge Corner Tuesday, the first night of Chanukah, coincided with a national movement by Jews to bring protests against police abuse of blacks to their home communities.

A group of 350 demonstrators in Coolidge Corner stopped traffic at the corner of Beacon and Harvard streets for nearly half-an-hour in an action that coincided with Chanukah Action: A Jewish Day of Action to End Police Violence. Similar actions were held in cities and towns across the country.

At the Brookline demonstration, protesters lit menorah candles to commemorate the lives of blacks who have been killed by police (see photos). A public prayer and song was led by Jews of color.

“As we light the first light of Chanukah this evening, we remember our ancestors’ struggle for dignity and freedom,” said Rabbi Toba Spitzer of Congregation Dorshei Tzedek, quoted in a press release. “I am glad that Jewish communities across the country are taking this opportunity to show our solidarity with those communities most affected by the disparities in our justice system, and to add our voices to the call for much-needed reforms.”

Event organizers said the demonstration was a “call to action for the Brookline community and Boston’s Jewish community to “grapple with the history and current-day reality of racial segregation and racism.”

“This demonstration means a lot to me and my Jewish family of color,” said Atarah McCoy, 17, who spoke at the end of the rally. “I’m hoping the Jewish community will join me to stand against the police brutality against African Americans which we have all seen on the media.”