Frances Ahmed was observed helping a woman tear down posters of kidnapped Jewish babies in the vicinity of Hunter College, NYC.
Who is Frances Hamed?
Frances Macalimbon Hamed is a Jeannette K. Watson Fellow and brings a wealth of experience from her roles in both the New York City Council and the New York State Assembly, where she has actively engaged in public service. Furthermore, she has contributed her time and efforts to local mutual aid organizations within her community, showcasing her commitment to making a positive impact at the grassroots level.
Also Read: Who is Ibrahim Bharmal? Harvard graduate assaults Israeli student on campus
In the weeks following the commencement of the Middle East conflict, “kidnapped” posters crafted by Israeli street artists have become increasingly prevalent, adorning public spaces in the United States, Western Europe, and other regions. Accessible to anyone with an internet connection, these posters can be printed out and affixed to lampposts, boarded-up storefronts, and subway entrances.
Displaying these posters has transformed into a form of activism, serving as a means to keep the more than 200 individuals abducted by Hamas visible to the public eye.
Conversely, the removal of these posters has swiftly evolved into a distinctive form of protest, representing a release valve and a provocation for those deeply troubled by what they perceive as the Israeli government’s mistreatment of Palestinians both in the years leading up to October 7 and since the Gaza bombings commenced.
Some individuals caught dismantling the posters have faced public condemnation on social media platforms. A dentist in Boston and an individual in South Florida, among others, have lost their jobs as a result.
Those who take issue with the posters have criticized them as wartime propaganda, while critics of those removing them have characterized these acts as antisemitic and devoid of basic humanity. These disputes are increasingly on the verge of escalating into violence, serving as a proxy battleground for the life-or-death conflict in the Middle East.
To Nitzan Mintz, one of the artists responsible for the posters, the unexpected virality of their campaign was surprising. Witnessing people tear down these posters, she believes, has unveiled clear instances of antisemitism. She expressed, “By accident, this campaign did more than raise awareness about the kidnapped individuals. It shed light on the depth of hatred directed at our community.”
These skirmishes surrounding the posters exhibit a blend of old-fashioned, hands-on conflict carried out with paper and tape, and a modern dimension, with social media having the potential to transform street-level disagreements into international incidents. Images of individuals dismantling these signs have flooded the internet in recent days.
