Pro-Palestinian group to protest outside Sen. Peters' Traverse City office
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., (WPBN/WGTU) -- A pro-Palestinian activist group said it intends to protest outside Senator Gary Peters' Traverse City office on Wednesday.
MidEast Just Peaceis a group that has organized protests and educational events in and around Traverse City since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack and subsequent Israeli invasion of Gaza.
The group claimed that Sen. Peters and his staff have refused to meet with their members, who have been requesting a meeting with him since April 11.
"According to OpenSecrets... he has taken $626,111 from the pro-Israel lobby, including the American Israel Public Affairs Committee," MidEast Just Peace said in a statement. "In return, Senator Peters has used his public office to send $26 BILLION in American taxpayer funds to Israel during the past 9 months alone."
The group said in their statement that the International Court of Justice "has found a plausible case" that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
The group also cited a recent report from The Lancet that claims a "conservative estimate" of the deaths in Gaza since October would be 186,000.
"Senator Peters voted to send $26,000,000,000 in American taxpayer funds to Israel while the citizens of Michigan suffer from homelessness, poverty due to increasing costs of rent and groceries, drug and alcohol addiction, systemic childhood hunger, lack of affordable medical care, shortage of services for senior citizens, underfunded public schools, underpaid teachers and public servants, and decaying infrastructure," MidEast Just Peace said.
"MidEast: Just Peace requests that Senator Gary Peters agree to meet with his constituents and prioritize the needs of Americans over Israel and over his campaign coffers," the group said.
- Another story: Israeli bombardment in Gaza City forces medical facilities to close as thousands flee
Earlier this month, Sen. Peters joined a group of 49 U.S. Senators to cosponsor an amendment calling for a two-state solution for Palestinians and Israelis.
"A negotiated two-state solution with Israel living side by side in peace and security with a Palestinian state remains the best option for lasting stability in the region and the right policy for America," the amendment states.
The protest is scheduled to take place at 3 p.m. on Wednesday outside of Sen. Peters' office at 109 E Front Street in Traverse City.