By Katrina Tummino
Our greatest asset in this fight relies on numbers and courage. The October 23 protest at First Church Cambridge required both.
Nancy Pelosi arrived on Harvard’s campus to discuss her new book, “The Art of Power.” Her arrival, in my opinion, seemed pretty audacious given the circumstances. She likely came with the anticipation of protests but gave the impression of being unaffected or impacted by the chants and confrontation both inside and outside the church. For Pelosi, this was business as usual.
At 6PM, Harvard’s sidewalks were gated off and two lines surrounded the church as attendees poured in. But as Pelosi’s lines formed, so did ours. MAPA, Harvard SJP, Harvard GSAS, North Shore for Palestine, Jewish Voices for Peace, among others, stood outside the front doors. Randy Wurster and I waited in Pelosi’s line with our “Arms Embargo Now” banner strategically hidden. For me, one of the most frustrating parts of the night was cosplaying as a supporter of Pelosi and by default, genocide. The protest chants five feet away did not help.
It took at least thirty minutes to get inside, and another hour seated at the balcony waiting for the event to start. The wait became increasingly difficult and my nervousness peaked right before we stood up to drop the banner. That was gut-wrenching. Once standing however, the confrontational chants at Pelosi and Governor Healey came easy and served as a much needed release of pent up frustration and disapproval.
Although we chanted and were heard, we were chastised and misunderstood. Reports of her reaction were consistent with the ongoing gaslighting by the Democratic Party. According to the Boston Globe, Pelosi characterized us as political actors with an agenda that deterred from saving lives. My anger and frustration after reading these headlines was real, but of course, undeterring.
About thirty seconds after dropping the banner, we were forced out by several security members. Unfortunately, their strength far surpassed ours but we clung to the balcony anyway. As security escorted us back down the stairs toward the church entrance, the roar of applause from Pelosi’s audience was heart sinking. The celebration from my friends, colleagues, and community members after exiting the front doors, however, pushed these emotions out. We were flooded with celebratory cheers and acceptance.
Toward the end of the protest, I realized that in moments of public political confrontation, it’s important to remember all those who stand behind you. The hugs, pats on the back, the “good jobs,” and the images of millions of people protesting across the globe who acknowledge your courage to stand up.
The jeers from the crowd and the one-off insults from attendees afterward will remain in my mind. But so will the supportive gestures that will always outnumber those that are unkind.
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Katrina Tummino is the Development Specialist at Massachusetts Peace Action, as well a writer and grassroots organizer based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She received her BA in English Literature from Boston University.