As Much as I Loathe Trump, I Cannot Be Part of the 50501 Movement as Long as it Tolerates Anti-Semitism

 

In Boston, there were two 50501 No King events today.

The reason for this was because was Boston's annual Pride parade was scheduled for today and 50501 was incorporated into it. There was also a smaller 50501 gathering in Brookline at Coolidge Corner (pictured above).

I made a point of attending both events beginning with the gathering at Brookline. It was a low-key affair with protesters on all four corners carrying signs. I did not have a sign and felt a bit out of place. However, whatever discomfort I felt in Brookline paled in comparison to what I saw and heard when I made my way to Boston Common.

I wasn't there more than 5 minutes when I heard a young man shout at the top of his lungs:

FUCK ISRAEL!!! I HATE JEWS!!! FREE PALESTINE!!!

The young man's declaration was met with approval.

I got the hell out of there, but not before I saw several Palestinian flags.

I oppose President Trump's policies, his embrace of authoritarianism and his cult of personality megalomania now culminating in a military parade in his honor. 

But I cannot be part of a movement which tolerates anti-Semitism. 

I cannot be part of a movement who wishes grievous harm to me and the Jewish community.

I cannot be part of a movement which condones the events of October 7th.

Nor I can be a part of a movement which seeks the annihilation of Israel and the Jewish people. 

I understand that not everyone who supports 50501 supports the views of this unhinged young man.

But a critical mass within the movement certainly does.

Complicating this dynamic is the Pride parade. A year ago, I saw an anti-Semitic sign at the parade which read, "No Cops and Zionists at Pride". 

Now it has become worse, and I suspect it will continue to get far worse.

How is it that a significant portion of the LGBTQ community openly embrace the Palestinians when Hamas torture and kills LGBTQ people?

Well, hate is irrational. And that unhinged young man used the word "hate" without hesitation.

Dare I say, he used that word with pride.

For a LGBTQ movement which preaches tolerance, it is astonishing that some within that movement are every bit as capable of expressing hate as those who hate them.

At the very minimum, Jews are being told that we are not welcome. Mind you, this doesn't deter me from continuing to oppose Trump. But it does deter me from getting too close to others who oppose him. 

As such, it is best that I express my personal opposition to Trump in my own way and from a distance.