STOP ISRAELI PIRACY ON LAND AND SEA!

02. Jul, 2009 Print This Article! 0 Comments

Los Angeles Demostration calling on Israel to release Humanitarian Activists ( photos by Mike Chickey)

As part of national emergency demonstrations on July 1st, the southern California delegation of VivaPalestina USA at the Israeli Consulate in Los Angeles held protests demanding the immediate release of former congresswoman Cynthia McKinney (still in an Israeli prison as of this post) and the crew of the Spirit of Humanity and for the Israeli government to allow the much needed humanitarian aid to continue on its vital journey to Gaza.

photos by Mike Chickey

“That ship was in international waters and for the Israeli military to take it over, kidnap the crew and deny the children of Gaza life-saving medical supplies is yet another example of Israeli genocide against the people of Palestine. And, as we won’t tolerate a military coup against the people of Honduras we, likewise, won’t tolerate this latest injustice,” said Maggie Vascassenno of the International Action Center who helped organize the emergency protest beginning at 4 pm.

At 6pm there was also a very successful demonstration at the Honduran consulate and speakers at the Israeli consulate expressed their solidarity with that protest demanding democracy and the reinstatement of President Zelaya.

At the Gaza protest, Mazen Almoukdad, coordinating the VivaPalestina effort in southern California, talked about the criminal nature of the Zionist government and urged everyone to support efforts like Cynthia’s and the VivaPalestina truck convoy leaving July 4th for Gaza via Egypt.

About 35 of the 50 California delegates are from southern California. At a meeting the night prior to this emergency action they voted to protest and send a message to Israel and the Obama Administration.

Reem Salahi is the California VivaPalestina USA Team Leader. Before the vote was taken, reflecting on the urgency and danger of the situation for the Spirit crew, she said: “Whatever we do will send a message. If we chose to respond immediately it sends a message that we won’t tolerate the kidnapping and denial of aid to Gaza. If we don’t, it sends another message.”

The Free Gaza coordinators managing the campaign of the Spirit of Humanity and directly in touch with the crew got the action’s message, according to an email from one Free Gaza organizer regarding the Los Angeles demo: “I’ve sent the photos to our Free Gaza coordinators all around the world, the Free Gaza board and the land team in Cyprus and Palestine. You’ll be glad to know that there was a protest in Washington DC, one in Ireland and more are planned for London and all over Europe. Good luck on your Viva Palestina voyage.”

The protest was both multi-national and multi-generational, and, reflecting this and the historic role the Civil Rights Movement had in fighting racism and oppression, activists decided to end the rally singing “We Shall Overcome.”