Maynard Seider, 82, a Chestnut Hill resident and retired teacher, said advocates need to continue to pressure politicians to defend the rights of Palestinians and let vital resources into Gaza in order to address the humanitarian crisis there.
“Right now is obviously a crucial time, given the ceasefire not really holding in Gaza, food not getting in as much as it could, medicine not getting in, and all of the rest,” he said.
Maynard Seider, 82, said he wants Fetterman to get behind the Block the Bombs Act and stop sending offensive weapons to Israel. (Emily Neil/WHYY)
Seider said he wants Fetterman “to get behind the ban the bomb bill to stop sending offensive weapons to Israel and to be out there really speaking for ending the genocide.”
Betsey Piette, 76, a retired accountant and East Falls resident, didn’t realize it was the 100th vigil for the advocacy group, but said she has been active in raising awareness around Gaza and wanted to join the gathering Friday.
She said her message to Fetterman, who has been outspoken in his support of Israel, is simple.
“Stop voting for war funding to Israel,” Piette said. “I mean, we have sent them in the last two years, I think it’s $30 billion dollars, and we can’t pass a budget … because we’re arguing over, is there enough money for health care and SNAP programs? Programs that people need, but yet we could just keep sending money and money and money and bombs, and, you know, military equipment to Israel, and Fetterman keeps voting for that.”
Dozens of people gathered outside of Sen. John Fetterman’s Old City office on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, marking the 100th peace vigil for Gaza organized by grassroots advocacy group Fridays at Fetterman’s. (Emily Neil/WHYY)
State Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Philadelphia, spoke at Friday’s vigil, and told WHYY News that Fetterman “has shown that he is just a politician when we need more public servants in office.”
“The level of cruelty, derisiveness he has displayed against young people who are on the front lines, risking their lives, risking their educational futures at encampments, people expressing their First Amendment rights, who are doing so nonviolently, that’s unacceptable,” he said. “And it’s even worse when it’s coming from someone whose platforms seem to be congruous with issues around social justice.”
State Rep. Chris Rabb spoke outside of Sen. John Fetterman’s Old City office on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, marking the 100th peace vigil for Gaza organized by grassroots advocacy group Fridays at Fetterman’s. (Emily Neil/WHYY)
Rabb, who is running for the 3rd congressional district seat, said he is currently working on legislation in the state House to divest from Israel.
“On the state level, there are laws on the books that give Israel special status in terms of contractors, in terms of taxpayer money that supports Israel bonds, investments on behalf of the commonwealth that are not appropriate,” he said.
Around 150 people participated in one or more of the events that took place throughout the 24-hour encampment, said Robin Lasersohn, co-coordinator of Fridays at Fetterman’s, with about 20 people camping out for the night.
“I think as tired as we are today, we’ll all walk away feeling stronger, more determined, more inspired to continue to seek and give birth to a world where peace and justice for all people in Palestine, Israel, the entire Middle East, indeed, the world, will be possible,” she said.
