In anticipation of the scheduled court date in the case of Scott Hayes, charged with assault with a deadly weapon during a Newton pro-Israel demonstration in September, a group of protesters gathered in front of the Newton District Court on November 7. They were members of the Newton-based, pro-Palestinian organization, Sawa. “Sawa” means “together” in Arabic, and the organization claims: “Our diverse peace alliance advocates for equality and justice for Palestinians, Arabs, Muslims, and inclusion for all.”
Approximately fifteen protesters – mostly wearing black and carrying signs proclaiming “Hayes is a Danger,” “Hold Hayes Accountable,” and “No Guns in Newton No Bombs in Palestine” — crowded the sidewalk on Washington Street in West Newton. Many wore Palestine flag stickers printed for this Courthouse demonstration. They continued their protest, chatting amiably with one another, for some time after it was announced that the court date for the Hayes case had been continued until December 3.
Jill Charney, a Newton resident and Sawa member, claimed that Scott Hayes and his group have been promoting violence in Newton and Brookline and engaging in intimidating behavior, while the Sawa demonstrators are silent and do not engage with his supporters. In a follow-up conversation with Fig City News, Ms. Charney contended that the pro-Israel group had been “emboldened by city leaders” at the rededication ceremony of the Hostage Wall on Homer Street, following vandalism in April. She said that Mr. Hayes has targeted her in Facebook postings that she described as “vile.” Now, Newton Police are often present at Sawa’s standouts twice a month on Washington Street.
Across Washington Street, two supporters of Scott Hayes — Newton resident Alla Kazakevich and Yelena Kagan from Needham – stood next to a van with equipped with several large electronic signs with pro-Hayes images asking:
“Is Self Defense Illegal in Middlesex County??? Scott Hayes, a war veteran and victim of a vicious attack, was arrested in Newton for defending himself. Scott is facing ten years in jail….Drop all charges now. Shame on DA Ryan. Call Ryan now at [phone number].”
Both women were surprised to see the van, and neither said they knew who or what organization paid for it. They said they came to support Mr. Hayes. Mrs. Kazakevich explained to Fig City News that Mr. Hayes was trying to calm people down at demonstrations. Both women claimed that Mr. Hayes, who is not Jewish, was there “to support Israel’s right to defend itself” (after the October 7th Hamas attack). Both emphasized Mr. Hayes’ military service, his support for Israel, his advice that they not interact with the “other side,” whom they described as” aggressive.” Both described their experience with antisemitism in the former Soviet Union, where they grew up.
In a follow-up, Fig City News learned that the van was provided by Betar USA, a Zionist organization that has called for “a boycott of Jewish-owned businesses in Newton to protest Mr. Hayes’s arrest,” according to Ron Levy, Betar’s spokesperson.
Susan Mirsky, a Newton resident and long-time peace activist and member of Sawa, noted that Sawa holds regular standouts on Washington Street near the Crafts Street corner (and close to Rep. Jake Auchincloss’s district office). She said the group that is aligned with Scott Hayes would try to disrupt them with bullhorns, large signs, and Israeli and American flags, which she said Mr. Hayes used as weapons. She said his group would try to provoke and bait them. “We were very scared,” she said. “None of us would attack Scott Hayes,” Ms. Mirsky affirmed. Moreover, she said that Caleb Gannon, alleged assailant in the September 12th incident on Washington Street, was not a member of Sawa, although on the evening of the attack he was wearing a pro-Palestine pin, and he had not been part of their bi-monthly demonstrations.
According to Ms. Kagan and Ms. Kazakevich, Mr. Hayes warned them not to react to the Sawa group. “He was there to make a point, not to overreact,” Mrs. Kazakevich said. “Scott is a war veteran, sacrificed his life for American and Jewish people, and supports Israel,” she said. Neither woman anticipated the Sawa demonstrators but promised there would be more of their allies on December 3, the next court date. They are members of Massachusetts Residents Fighting Antisemitism, which describes itself as: “A group for Massachusetts residents to push back aggressively against the pervasive anti-semitism in our state. Both Jews and non-Jews are welcome to join us.” In addition, Ms. Kazakevich noted that she joined her husband in Newton Centre at Sunday morning vigils for the remaining hostages.
Separate from the charges faced by Mr. Hayes, the Newton Police Department has also served Mr. Gannon, the alleged assailant and gunshot victim in the September 12th incident on Washington Street, with a summons, but he has not yet been scheduled to appear before the Judge Magistrate for a hearing.
