Town Day: Arlington for Palestine Makes a Splash at Annual Event
Arlington is often considered both a historic and communal space. There are many festivals throughout the year including PorchFest, the Arlington International Film Festival, and Town Day. First established in 1976, Town Day celebrates the organizations, music, and community that make up Arlington, MA.
Arlington for Palestine, a group established last year as a response to the ongoing genocide in Palestine, was one of the 200 booths involved in this year's Town Day event. Leading up to Town Day, Stephen Jackson and several other members of Arlington for Palestine gathered materials, designed posters and created ways Town Day goers could be curious and connected to Palestinian culture. By the time Town Day arrived, Stephen explained that 25 members volunteered both supplies and their time for the event.
The table included a mix of Palestinian-centered items such as olive oil soap from Nablus (Palestine), stitched coin-purses, and bookmarks. Educational materials, such as the significance of Tatreez, a historical Palestinian embroidery style, and a book from the Palestinian Culture Center were also featured on the table. Items for sale, such as keffiyehs (traditional Arab headdress that have become significant to the movement) and Keffiyeh-inspired bracelets generated $900. This money was given to Arlington Zahrat Al-Yasmeen Kindergarten, a school inside of the Aida refugee camp that is run by the United Nations. The money will be used to help build another kindegarten classroom.
When discussing the impact of having a Palestinian-centered table at Town Day, Stephen said the following, “Having a booth at Town Day confronted Arlingtonians with Palestinian humanity and culture. While our booth was not focused on raising awareness around the ongoing genocide, we were able to platform a small piece of Palestine and make material gains for Palestinians in the heart of a town that has been broadly indifferent to Palestinian suffering.” The reaction to the table was overall positive. Arlington for Palestine is committed in further connecting Arlington to Palestine and demanding a ceasefire, one table at a time.