Culture & Community | East Rock | Immigration | Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services (IRIS) | Protest | Refugees
Protesters criticize U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro before IRIS's Run for Refugees 5K. Photos Kapp Singer.
As runners toed the start line, U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro took the microphone. Then shouts began to emanate from the crowd.
“Ceasefire now!” and “Free, free Palestine,” protesters chanted, drowning DeLauro out.
Several dozen raised their voices in support of Palestine at the start line of Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services’ (IRIS) 17th Run for Refugees. The 5K, held every year on the morning of Super Bowl Sunday, drew 2,324 runners. At this year’s race, IRIS raised over $168,000, breaking their fundraising goal of $130,00.
DeLauro, a regular at the start of the annual New Haven race, bore the brunt of the protesters' ire, as the only federal official in attendance this year. Other officials in attendance included Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz and Mayor Justin Elicker, both of whom made short speeches before DeLauro. U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy were not in attendance and sent their regrets.
Protesters expressed frustration that DeLauro, who called for a “humanitarian pause” in the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 31, has supported the position of the Biden administration and not advocated for a ceasefire.
“DeLauro, DeLauro, pick a side. Ceasefire or genocide,” they shouted. “DeLauro, DeLauro, you will see, Palestine will be free.”
Rep. DeLauro at the start line.
The action followed several similar protests over the last few months, where participants called for DeLauro and other elected officials to more forcefully advocate for an end to the conflict in Gaza.
Protesters also criticized DeLauro’s acceptance of funds and endorsements from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a pro-Israel lobbying group.
“DeLauro takes money from AIPAC, the lobby for Israel, and in doing so she is complicit in the genocide of Palestinians,” said a protester named Zia, who declined to give their last name. “For that reason we wanted to protest her and let her know that’s unacceptable.”
“If she wants [to] purport that she is for refugees and stands with refugees and displaced people,” Zia added, “then she should not be taking money from a lobby that then displaces people and creates refugees.”
According to public campaign finance records analyzed by the nonprofit OpenSecrets, DeLauro received $40,100 from individuals and PACs associated with AIPAC in the 2021–2022 election cycle, her second-highest donor group behind the defense contractor Lockheed Martin, which contributed $80,480. In March 2023, AIPAC announced its endorsement of DeLauro for the 2024 election. According to a December filing with the Federal Elections Commission, AIPAC has thus far contributed $3,500 to DeLauro’s 2024 campaign.
“This was a collective action trying to raise awareness about the over-a-million internally displaced refugees in Gaza,” said another protester, who also declined to give their name.
As of Jan. 12, Israel’s military campaign has forcibly displaced over 1.9 million Gazans, according to the United Nations.
“We’re here to promote cooperation and health for refugees and immigrants, but then in the meantime a lot of the actions by the state and the government is enabling and funding a lot of the genocide and the killing of the refugees and immigrants,” they said.
After several minutes of chanting, DeLauro raised her voice to thank all the participants in the run for coming out.
“I’ll also say to you that there is no more greater calling—no more noble tradition—than to be able to provide a welcome to people who have been persecuted in other countries,” DeLauro said to the crowd of runners. “IRIS takes people out of the darkness and into the light. As the daughter of an immigrant family, I treasure what IRIS does. You run today for refugees and for immigrants. Godspeed—thank you for being here.”
Protesters shouted over her remarks before Chris George, the former executive director of IRIS, who retired at the end of 2023, stepped in and set the runners off onto the course. They ran a route which wound through East Rock Park, looped around Livingston, Lawrence and Orange Streets, and finished back on Mitchell Drive
“I think the fact that people come here to express their strong opinions on the tragedy that is happening in Gaza and Israel is something that makes us stronger,” Mayor Justin Elicker said in an interview after finishing the race. “Frankly, it’s very much in line with why everyone is here today—we really care about supporting vulnerable people in war-torn communities in the world.”
“I appreciate that we give space to allow voices being raised in support of Gaza,” said the new IRIS Executive Director Maggie Mitchell Salem in an interview after the race. “Everyone comes from somewhere and has a passion, and we want to see that being given space. It was beautiful.”
Maggie Mitchell Salem speaks before the race.
Earlier that morning, before runners lined up on Mitchell Drive, race organizers found that someone had distributed anti-immigrant flyers around the course.
The flyers read “INVASORES VETE A CASA USTED NO BIENVENIDO,” which translates to “Invaders go back home you not [sic] welcome.”
“There’s one person out there that’s hateful, but thousands here that say ‘no,’” Elicker said in a speech to the runners before the race began, denouncing the action of the flyer maker. He commended those who helped remove the flyers earlier that morning.
Despite the sentiments, the mood of the day remained high. Spectators cheered while the Wilbur Cross Marching Band, standing on the corner of Mitchell Drive and Orange Street, propelled runners forward with their drumming.
Top: Runners on Orange Street. Bottom: Mayor Justin Elicker cheers on runners from the sideline after finishing the race.
“It’s very emotional in a really great way,” Elicker said. “To see the whole community coming together, people from everywhere, literally everywhere, and supporting people being here and being made welcome—it’s beautiful.”