COLUMBUS, Ohio — On the eve of the one-year anniversary of the October 7 attack, masked pro-Palestinian activists heightened their protests against a Jewish congressman by staging a demonstration outside the residence of Ohio Democratic Rep. Greg Landsman in Cincinnati.
Landsman reported that the protesters arrived early Sunday, and by evening had set up tents, sleeping bags, and cots in the street, leading to a night of disruptive harassment directed at him and his family. As a result, the congressman indicated that his family required police assistance to safely navigate their way in and out of their home.
In a statement, Landsman expressed his concerns, noting, “On the eve of the one-year anniversary of the October 7th terror attacks, when Jews were brutally murdered and kidnapped, these individuals came to the home of a Jewish family at night, dressed in all black and fully masked.” He further mentioned that he and his daughter had to maneuver around the encampment to attend a memorial service later that day.
The activist group known as Midwest Direct Action 4 Pali! shared footage of the protest on Instagram, featuring masked participants marching in front of Landsman’s house while carrying white bundles that resembled body shrouds alongside banners displaying death toll figures. According to Landsman’s office, the group remained at the location throughout Monday.
In their Instagram post, the activists stated their presence was a solemn reminder of the suffering in Palestine, expressing their dissent toward the congressman’s legislative actions concerning funding and the associated death toll. Their message emphasized an ongoing commitment to protest until what they described as genocide ends.
Mike Madanat, a spokesperson for the protest group, mentioned the duration of their demonstration remains uncertain, and they plan to stay for the foreseeable future. He highlighted that their protests are a result of Landsman’s perceived silence on their concerns despite numerous attempts to engage with him through various communication channels.
Madanat assured that they are mindful of being in a residential area and make every effort to maintain respectful interactions with neighbors, working closely with local law enforcement to ensure their protest actions are lawful.
“This issue has never been about religion; it strictly focuses on the death toll,” Madanat asserted, referring to Landsman’s stance on military funding and the resulting violence and displacement.
In recent months, Landsman and his constituents have experienced heightened scrutiny since the outbreak of the conflict. Notably, just weeks after the conflict began, demonstrators placed a provocative poster featuring Landsman’s image and the caption “This Ken supports genocide” outside a building near his district office, which sparked further tensions.
Earlier this July, Landsman inspected a cemetery in Cincinnati, discovering that 176 gravestones had been vandalized, reflecting the ongoing unrest and challenges faced by the Jewish community in the area amidst escalating tensions tied to the broader conflict.
