**St George’s Cathedral's Call for Vigilance Amid Rising Incidents of Vandalism**

Cape Town's St. George's Cathedral has become a beacon of hope and solidarity in times of conflict, especially with its ongoing support for Palestinian rights. Serene vigils, marked by symbols of peace and remembrance, have unfortunately been marred by acts of suspected politically motivated vandalism, prompting an appeal by the church for heightened public vigilance.

In a recent expression of solidarity with the people of Palestine, the cathedral organized a community art project, "Birds of Gaza," which drew families and children to create paper birds symbolizing the innocent lives lost in the conflicts, particularly during the Israeli military actions in Gaza. These symbols of peace, carefully pinned against a backdrop embodying the Palestinian flag, were devastated when vandals struck, leaving a disheartening scene of a bare tree with the birds and fabric gone — a stark contrast to the solidarity and empathy sought by the participants the night before.

The acts of vandalism seem to point to a resistance against the cathedral's powerful message of peace and justice. St. George's Cathedral has a long history of being a space for nonviolent protest, drawing from its legacy as a site of anti-apartheid demonstrations. Week after week since the onset of violence in Gaza, the cathedral has been conducting interfaith vigils, calling for a permanent ceasefire and standing firmly as a space for communal mourning and solidarity.

Bonita Bennett, a cathedral member and human rights defender, has emphasized the importance of humanizing the victims of the Gaza conflict, highlighting the individual stories and dreams of those who perished. The vigils have become an integral part of the community, attempting to foster empathy in the younger generations through art and peaceful protest rather than solely through words.

However, the peaceful protests have not been free from scrutiny and interruptions. In early December, the vigil was disrupted by law enforcement under the pretext of responding to a complaint. This startling interaction for a small gathering on church property fueled the cathedral's concerns over the respect for their freedom of assembly.

Father Michael Weeder, the Dean of St. George's Cathedral, has made a passionate plea for the public to remain observant and to share any information that could help address these recurring acts of defacement, particularly as similar issues have arisen with material representing the Palestinian flag being removed from church grounds.

Previously, an unsettling incident involving the removal of the LGBTQIA+ rainbow flag by a group of young people highlighted the challenges faced by the church in their quest to support diverse causes. Despite these challenges, the cathedral remains resolute in replacing and upholding the symbols of justice and empathy as acts of peaceful resistance.

The recurring instances of vandalism at St George’s Cathedral are more than just physical acts of destruction; they represent an attack on the solidarity and advocacy ingrained in the very steps of the church. The community, known for its resilience and peaceful persistence, continues to invite participation in its Wednesday vigils — standing united against injustice and in unwavering solidarity with the oppressed around the world.