No to Oct. 7 Smith ‘martyr’ rally
As a resident of Northampton, I am outraged by the upcoming “vigil” being organized by Students for Justice in Palestine at Smith College on Oct. 7. Choosing this specific date —the anniversary of a horrific attack on innocent people — to honor individuals framed as “martyrs” is profoundly tone-deaf and cruel. It is highly disrespectful to the victims of that tragedy and to the many members of our local community who are still grieving.
An event of this nature is entirely out of line with the humane concerns and empathetic attitudes that define Northampton. As neighbors, we must speak out when an event on campus actively undermines the basic human decency and respect that should bind our community together.
Deborah L. Levine
Northampton