On the second public day of Art Basel Miami Beach, a coalition of Miami-based advocacy groups staged a protest outside the Miami Beach Convention Center, urging attendees to boycott the prestigious art fair. The demonstration called on the city of Miami and Miami-Dade County to divest from large-scale investments in Israel Bonds, a move activists framed as opposition to Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Organized by groups including Justice for Palestine and the local chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), the protest highlighted Miami Beach’s decision to double its Israel Bond investment to $20 million last year. Activists argue such investments align the city with policies they associate with ongoing violence in the Middle East.
Cristina Rivera, an artist and technologist involved in the protest, explained the goal: "We’re using Art Basel, a global platform, to draw attention to Gaza and demand accountability for Miami’s financial decisions."
Central to the action was a 50-foot banner reading “Let Palestine Live”, designed by Rivera and fabricated by a collective of 13 queer artists with support from local designer Chromat.
The protest, involving 30 to 50 participants, faced heavy police presence. Activists were initially stationed outside the convention center but were later moved to a “designated free speech zone” across the street after officers threatened arrests.
Last year’s similar demonstration at Art Basel Miami Beach saw two participants arrested, including one reportedly targeted for wearing a hijab, though details remain unconfirmed. To mitigate potential conflicts this year, the coalition included legal observers and emphasized nonviolent tactics.
The protest is part of JVP’s “Break the Bonds” campaign, which encourages communities to divest from Israel Bonds. According to campaign data, Palm Beach County holds over $700 million in Israel Bonds, while Miami-Dade County’s investment stands at $76 million as of October 2023.
In addition to on-site actions, the group launched a Change.org petition, calling for Art Basel attendees to boycott the event until Miami’s divestment. By the end of the day, the petition had garnered 57 signatures.
Art Basel Miami Beach, now in its 22nd edition, is a major economic driver, generating an estimated $400 million to $500 million annually during Miami Art Week. Activists, however, argue that “business should not go on as usual” amidst the violence in Gaza.
The demonstration underscores the growing intersection between art, activism, and global politics, leveraging high-profile cultural events to spark broader conversations about accountability and investment ethics.
%20(1).jpg)
.png)
.png)
.png)