Massive Turnout for Lakewood Protest Against Israeli Draft of Charedim; Police Captain Talks With Belaaz

An estimated 15,000 to 20,000 members of the Jewish community gathered in Lakewood on Monday evening for a large-scale protest, decrying the Israeli government’s policy of imprisoning Yeshiva students who refuse to be conscripted into the military, according to police figures. The massive, peaceful gathering prompted a significant law enforcement presence to ensure public safety and manage traffic flow.

The event, which consisted of Tehillim and speeches, was attended by Roshei Yeshiva of BMG and other rabbanim.

Following the event, Belaaz spoke with Lakewood Police Special Operations Commander Captain Leroy Marshall about the logistical and security preparations required for a gathering of this nature.

Q: How do you prepare for an event like this?
A: Fortunately, we’ve held several events at this location, so we understand its strengths and weaknesses. We receive significant support from surrounding towns, our county counterparts, and the state. This experience has helped us develop a blueprint. We get the details from the organizer, with help from our governing body, and plan accordingly.

Q: What is the estimated attendance?
A: Between 15,000 and 20,000.

Q: Do you know the reason for the protest?
A: I’m not sure of the exact reason. I was told it was more of a prayer gathering related to the events in Israel, but I wasn’t certain about the specific cause.

Q: How do you deal with antisemitism and related threats?
A: While we haven’t had many issues, when they do arise, we deal with them as quickly as possible. We don’t want our residents living in fear of external forces, so we investigate these matters thoroughly. For serious incidents, we receive significant help from our state and federal counterparts. Fortunately, we haven’t experienced any major incidents.
The gathering concluded without any significant incidents, and the crowd dispersed peacefully. The police department’s extensive planning, which involved coordination across multiple agencies, was credited with the successful management of the large-scale event.