Brad Sherman's Middle-East Town Hall Rife With Fear and Aggression

Eyewitness Jack Marino of Burbank said, "Mark was talking to a group of people. Next thing I know, there's a group of people moving Mark down the pathway and out of the temple. I saw the guard and a woman in a blue shirt." When he went into the street, Mr. Marino adds, "I saw Mark's truck, and there were two (police) cruisers there."

Eyewitness David King of North Hills said, "A woman from the temple told Mark he had to leave right away or he would be arrested."

When asked about Mr. Reed's behavior at the event, eyewitness Jay Stern of North Hills said, "From everything that I have seen, if there was a disturbance or a concern, I don't know how Mark got fingered. Because he was standing at the back of the hall. I saw him. He didn't do anything. The next thing I know, he's not there."

For more information on Mark Reed visit MarkReedForCongress.com

à - JEFFREY J. MARKS
Office: 818.332.5543 // Mark Reed for Congress // http://www.markreedforcongress.com

The next incident involves Kathleen O'Connor Wong, the 67 year old great grandmother who told Brad Sherman she'd gone to Gaza. Kathleen was met by police waiting at her car, which was parked on the street, because her car had two Free Palestine stickers, one Strength Through Peace sticker and no license plates on her recently purchased vehicle. Her new plates had yet to arrive. Someone at the Temple was so concerned about Kathleen's Free Palestine stickers that they called the police, who then barricaded one entire side of the street with a police car and flashing lights, and waited for Kathleen to return to her vehicle.

When Kathleen got to her car, the police explained there was a call made of a suspicious car parked on the street and they needed to run Kathleen's information - which they did, only to find out everything was in order. Kathleen was the owner and for the second or third time that evening this 67 year old non-violent peacemaking great grandmother needed to explain that she was NOT a terrorist.

Interestingly, for that entire evening in the Temple, Kathleen sat quietly. I was seated near her so I was aware of her decorum. She was one of the more respectful attendees in that sanctuary with a true air of serenity, yet she was the most under scrutiny. Those who were screaming for bombs, sanctions, curtailing freedoms, removing tax exempt status from Mosques - those who were the most aggressive and angry, weren't bothered by anyone. But this one woman who'd put her life on the line on an uncertain journey for peace, became the perceived danger for displaying peace. It's time for an anger reprieve and a reassessment of our values.

Here's a photo of Kathleen's car. Would you have called the police? I wouldn't.

(Image by Unknown Owner)   Details   DMCA

Finally, as I ask my fellow Jews (yes, I'm a matrilineal Jew), to discard their victimhood and embrace empowerment through peace, I'd like to share the trailer to a great documentary by award winning Israeli filmmaker, Yoav Shamier that addresses the issue of anti-semitism. It's a powerful journey in which Yoav searches for anti-semitism amongst Israelis and Americans. I hope you'll consider giving it a view. You can stream it if you have netflix.

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