16th annual Palestine Cultural Day in San José
San José, CA – On May 12, more than 200 Palestinian Americans and their supporters packed a Santa Clara County room for the 16th annual Palestine Cultural Day in San José, California. Samir Leymoun of the Palestine Heritage Committee welcomed people to the event with a tribute to Palestinian parents and the ongoing effort to keep the struggle of Palestine visible.
The guest speaker was Palestinian cartoonist Mohammed Sabaneh, who told his story of how he was arrested during the second Intifada, or uprising, that began in 2000. He drew cartoons while in an Israeli prison to show the struggles of his fellow prisoners and of the Palestinian people who are living under Israeli military occupation.
The program also included recognition of student organizers at San Jose State University and De Anza College, statements by local elected officials, and a Palestinian American dance troupe.