HARRISBURG, Pa. — Protestors from across Pennsylvania organized and participated in a scheduled protest at the Pennsylvania Capitol rotunda on Monday, calling on Pennsylvania State Treasurer Stacy Garrity to stop investing public funds in Israel Bonds.
The protestors held signs such as "Divide from Genocide, Invest in Pennsylvania."
"Our main message is to divest from genocide and war and to invest in Pennsylvania," said Omar Mussa, a protestor and representative from the Pennsylvania Palestine Network. "We should not, as Pennsylvania residents, be complicit in funding a genocide."
The protest comes after Treasurer Garrity purchased an additional $20 million in Israel Bonds using state funds, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), bringing Pennsylvania's total lending to the Israeli Treasury to $56.4 million.
"[Pennsylvania lawmakers] all represent us and along with State Treasurer Stacy Garrity, control our taxpayer dollars that are being sent to a genocide," said Mussa. "We demand as people who paying those taxes for that to come to a halt and for us to invest in Pennsylvania."
Treasurer Garrity released the following statement to FOX43:
"I support Israel and Pennsylvania’s long-standing tradition of investing in Israel Bonds. State Treasurers from both political parties have proudly invested in Israel Bonds for more than 30 years. Israel is America’s greatest ally in the Middle East. After the horrific and deadly attacks perpetrated against Israel by the terrorist organization Hamas, I unequivocally stand in solidarity with our ally. Put simply: If Hamas stopped fighting today, there would be no more war. If Israel stopped fighting today, there would be no more Israel."
The protest included banners and t-shirts, organized by members of CAIR, the Philly Palestine Coalition and Jewish Voice for Peace.
According to Pennsylvania Capitol Police, the demonstration was unauthorized and occurred without a permit. Troopers responded to the protest and gave dispersal orders to the group with the understanding that those who did not comply would be taken into custody.
In total, 126 protesters were arrested, issued non-traffic citations for trespassing and were released.
In October, the Pennsylvania Senate and House passed a unanimous resolution denouncing Hamas’ attack on Israel, reaffirming their support for the country.
One month later, a letter signed by 12 democratic legislators was sent to the Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation calling for a ceasefire. That letter has yet to be addressed.