Former Toledo city council member Mike Ferner made headlines this week after he threw a paint can full of cow’s blood onto the windows of the US mission to the UN in a gory protest against Israel. Despite the shocking act, New Yorkers seemed unfazed as they walked by without much reaction.
The 74-year-old Ferner, a member of Veterans for Peace, is no stranger to activism and has been arrested multiple times for his protests. His latest stunt, which landed him in jail for a night, was the grand finale of the organization’s “40 Day Fast for Gaza” campaign.
Ferner’s protest aimed to draw attention to the violence in the region and show solidarity with the Palestinian people. He obtained a gallon of cow’s blood from an East Village butcher shop and struggled to thaw it out before hurling it onto the windows of the US mission.
Despite the bizarre nature of his protest, Ferner believes it was important to show that not everyone in the government supports violent actions. He hopes his stunt will spark a conversation and lead to a more humane approach to conflict resolution.
Having served in a Navy hospital during the Vietnam War, Ferner has seen firsthand the devastating effects of war on individuals. His experiences have shaped his anti-war activism and fueled his passion for promoting peace.
After his release from jail, Ferner plans to spend his remaining days in New York City enjoying the sights and sounds of the bustling metropolis. He hopes that his message will resonate with people around the world and inspire positive change in the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
