Classical musicians gather in honor of 1-year anniversary of Hamas-Israel war

Originally wrote on October 7, 2024.

Protestors outside of Congressman Espaillat's office on October 7. Image source: Augostina Malous.

Mo and Alejando Acosta Acero are two classically trained cellists. Rather than perform at Lincoln Center or Carnegie Hall, the couple has decided to use their talent to bring awareness to over 41,000 Palestinian lives as a result of the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. Today on October 7, a year after Hamas attacked Israel, the duo carried out a peaceful demonstration outside of Congressman Adriano Espaillat’s Washington Heights office on behalf of the organization Uptown For Palestine. 

“There is a lot of misinformation out there about what [October 7]  signifies, especially about Palestinians,” Mo shared when asked what motivated the duo to act on this day. “We felt it was important to be here to counteract that misinformation. We are here with our cellos. We believe classical musicians should be speaking out.” Mo then drew comparisons between their own demonstration and classical cellist Yo-Yo Ma’s decision to play outside of the Russian embassy in Washington, D.C. at the onset of the Ukraine war. 

Mo and Alejandro are members of a larger Pro-Palestine collective, Uptown For Palestine. The organization formed shortly after the October 7 attacks and has held a weekly vigil outside of Congressman Adriano Espaillat’s 181st street office. The group has chosen to demonstrate outside of the Washington Heights office of the congressman, who serves New York’s thirteenth congressional district, to balance out the fliers put up in his office windows for the Israeli hostages. 

But Espaillat wasn’t there. A sign read, “Closed. You are welcome to come tomorrow,” in capitalized letters. 

Not all of the congressman’s neighbors on West 181st street agree with Uptown For Palestine actions. Some, like local business owner Yelena Yoffe of CityDrug & Surgical, support Espalliat’s stance. “I love what he’s doing for the hostages,” Yoffe said. In response to how she feels about the weekly vigils, she replied “That’s annoying,” but added that “they come because he’s doing the right thing.” 

Congressman Espalliat’s office declined The Midtown Gazette’s request for comment.