Minneapolis, MN – More than 50 protesters gathered here, June 12, to condemn the Israeli massacre on human rights activists bringing aid to Gaza and to demand an end to the blockade of Gaza.

Speaking to the crowd, Karen Sullivan of the Anti-War Committee stated,

This massacre was not an accident. This was one of many deliberate actions upon the part of the Israeli government to keep international solidarity from connecting with the Palestinian people. I can speak to this personally. Last summer I was invited by the Palestinian Women’s Union to come to the West Bank, but I never got past the airport in Tel Aviv. I was held and deported by the Israeli government. They did not want me or anyone associated with the peace movement to see the conditions they inflict on Palestinians. I am not alone. Thousands of activists have been denied entry into the country and deported. American academic and activist Noam Chomsky was detained and deported just the other month. George Galloway and his caravan were denied access to Gaza on their last attempt. We need to demand justice for the murdered activists on the Gaza flotilla. They are people just like us – activists in solidarity with Palestine.

On May 10, 2010, the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, consisting of six civilian ships and 700 human rights activists and journalists from over 40 countries, set sail for the Gaza Strip carrying 10,000 tons of humanitarian aid for Gaza’s besieged civilians. At 4:00 a.m. May 31, heavily-armed Israeli naval commandos rappelled from helicopters onto a Gaza Freedom Flotilla ship, the Mavi Marmara, while it was traveling through international waters approximately 90 miles from the coast of Gaza. To gain control of the ship, Israeli commandos opened fire on the civilians, killing at least nine and injuring many more. All 700 passengers on board the six boats were abducted and forcibly taken to Israeli prisons.

A statement from rally organizers noted,

Israel’s deadly attack on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla and its illegal blockade of the Palestinian Gaza Strip would not be possible without the military and diplomatic support of the United States. While the world reacts in horror to this military assault on an aid convoy carrying wheelchairs, cement, water purification systems, children’s toys and notebook paper to Gaza – all items barred by Israel’s blockade – the United States continues to give Israel unconditional support and over $3 billion in annual aid.

The protest was sponsored by the Coalition for Palestinian Rights and endorsed by the Anti-War Committee.

#MinneapolisMN #AntiwarMovement #Gaza #AntiwarCommittee #Palestine #FreedomFlotilla

Asheville, NC – The University of North Carolina at Asheville Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) held a demonstration here, June 7, against the Freedom Flotilla murders committed by Israeli commandos. Protesters condemned the barbarity of the Israeli blockade against Gaza and recognized the brave people who were killed in their attempt to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The protest was held at the Asheville Federal Building. SDS members decried the gross violation of international law perpetrated by the Israelis in attacking a humanitarian convoy in international waters.

Josh Sykes, an SDS member and anti-war organizer said, “Every year the United States directly supports Israeli atrocities with billions of dollars in military and economic aid. The students and community members of Asheville, North Carolina say that U.S. aid to Israel must stop. The people of Palestine have the right to build and operate their nation as they see fit and they are being systematically denied that right by Israel. Damn Israel for forcing Palestinians into these atrocious conditions and double-damn the foreign aid to Israel.”

#AshevilleNC #AntiwarMovement #StudentMovement #Palestine #StudentsForADemocraticSocietySDS #FreedomFlotilla

Milwaukee, WI – Over 200 people rallied here, for the second time this week, to protest Israel's massacre of the participants in Freedom Flotilla – a mission to bring aid to Gaza.

The Arab community called for the rally which brought out dozens of Palestinian families, anti-war groups, Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlān (MEChA). The continuing protests demand that the U.S. stop all aid to Israel, which amounts to $7 million each day. Both Muslim and Jewish speakers called for an immediate end to Israel's blockade of Gaza and an end to the U.S.-backed occupation of Palestine.

#MilwaukeeWI #AntiwarMovement #Palestine #FreedomFlotilla

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) Condemns Israel's Attack on Aid Ships for Gaza as Crime against Humanity

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) condemns in the strongest terms Israel's criminal attack against the people bringing humanitarian aid in solidarity with the people in Gaza. This attack sanctioned by the Israeli government leadership carried out by fully armed commandos in international waters in the dead of the night has resulted in the death of at least ten persons, the wounding of scores of others, the beating and maltreatment of many more, and the illegal detention of some 700 people from many varied nationalities. Israel Premier Netanyahu's claim that the attack was in self-defense is ridiculous and totally unacceptable.

This outrageous attack is a blatant violation of international law and Israel must be condemned for committing a crime against humanity. This latest condemnable act by the Israeli state reminds the people of the world of its other hideous crimes against humanity committed against the Palestinian people, such as the Sabra and Shatila massacre of 1982, the Deir Yassin massacre of 1948, and the invasion and massacre in Gaza in December 2008 and January 2009 and the blockade and siege of Gaza since 2007, among many others.

The NDFP joins the worldwide protest and condemnation of Israel for this latest crime against humanity committed against people bringing humanitarian aid in solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza. The NDFP firmly supports the struggle of the Palestinian people for their inalienable right to national self-determination, the right of the uprooted and displaced Palestinians to return to their homeland, and their other fundamental human and democratic rights.

The NDFP likewise condemns the US government for giving billions of dollars yearly in military aid to Israel, blocking numerous UN Security Council resolutions condemning Israel's gross violations of international law and the human rights of the Palestinian and other Arab peoples. US imperialism colludes with the Israel government in committing crimes against humanity and providing the Israel state with political and diplomatic protection.

The continuing struggle of the Palestinian people and the resistance of the people of the world against Israeli and US imperialist aggression, fueled by the people's wrath against the inhuman and criminal attack against the bearers of humanitarian aid, are bound to grow stronger in the coming years.

National Executive Committee

National Democratic Front of the Philippines

#Philippines #PopularFrontForTheLiberationOfPalestine #Palestine #FreedomFlotilla #MiddleEast

Chicago, IL – “One, two, three, four – Petach Tikva – no more! Five, six, seven, eight – take away their dinner plate!” The chant came from protesters outside the Hilton Hotel June 2 as the Chicago Sister City International's Consular Corps Ball was happening.

As tuxedo and gown wearing representatives from over 70 governments and Mayor Daley arrived, the group of activists from a number of different groups in the city – bearing bullhorns, banners, flyers and Palestinian flags – made it completely clear that they were demanding that the U.S. cut all money to Israel and that Chicago end its ties with the Israeli city.

This same city has recently been in the news as the place where Ameer Makhoul, a Palestinian peace activist, has been held without access to a lawyer and tortured with sleep deprivation and stress positions in the detention center there.

Many Chicago activists were inspired to see new faces at the protest. One woman who had heard about the demonstration from the announcements at the Gaza rally the day before said about her new activism: “I just felt that after I saw the Israeli attacks on the boats that I had to do something to help.”

#ChicagoIL #AntiwarMovement #Palestine #FreedomFlotilla #PetachTikva

Chicago, IL – More than 3000 people gathered here, June 1, to picket the Israeli consulate in Chicago and to express outrage over the Israeli attack on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla.

On May 30, the Israeli army attacked the Flotilla, which was carrying humanitarian supplies to Gaza. The Israeli forces stormed the boat with commandos and helicopters and opened fire on the passengers, while they were traveling in international waters. At least 9 activists were killed and many more were injured. The boats were taken to a port in Israel where all of activists aboard the vessels were arrested and detained. 600 activists, including at least one from Chicago, were arrested.

Since then, protests have been held worldwide as people condemn Israel’s attack on the civilian convoy. In Chicago, a diverse crowd, including Arabs, African-Americans and Latinos, picketed in the streets outside the Israeli consulate, chanting, “Free Palestine!” and demanding an end to the siege on Gaza and an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands.

Awad Hamdan, of American Muslims for Palestine said, “We demand that Israel stop its deadly actions and to stop blaming the civilians for their deaths. This was Israel's fault.”

A speaker at the rally compared Arizona to Gaza, stressing that the new law passed in Arizona is like Israeli apartheid that oppresses Palestinians, saying, “Shame on Israel. Shame on Arizona.”

Many also emphasized the importance of boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel. It is important for us to condemn Israel's actions yet again, said one youth organizer from the Arab-American Action Network. “Boycott efforts are happening all over the world.” In Chicago, the Palestine Solidarity Group has launched a campaign to pressure the city of Chicago to sever its tied with Israel.

“We've been urging Chicago for years to drop the sister city of Petach Tikva, which was the first ‘Jewish- only’ settlement in Palestine,” said Hamdan. “They haven't listened, and we will continue to protest.”

A demonstration has been called for June 2 to protest Israel’s inclusion in the Sister City program's 50th anniversary banquet dinner. Activists will tell the representatives of more than 70 governments and keynote speaker Mayor Richard Daley that there will be no more business as usual with Petach Tivka. Demonstrators will also demand that Israel free Ameer Makhoul, a Palestinian grassroots activist who was kidnapped from his home last month and tortured at Petach Tikva, where he remains in detention.

#ChicagoIL #AntiwarMovement #Palestine #FreedomFlotilla

Milwaukee, WI – 75 people rallied outside the Federal Building here June 1, condemning Israel's deadly attack on the Freedom Flotilla.

The flotilla of more than 600 people was headed to occupied Gaza to deliver food and humanitarian aid when Israeli forces attacked the boats in international waters, killing between 10-20 activists.

Milwaukee's Arab community, Students for a Democratic Society and anti-war activists organized the emergency rally to condemn the Israeli attacks and to honor the courageous activists who gave their lives to break the U.S.-backed blockade on Gaza.

Another demonstration is planned for June 4 at 2:30 p.m. outside the federal building on 3rd and Wisconsin Avenue.

#MilwaukeeWI #AntiwarMovement #StudentMovement #Palestine #StudentsForADemocraticSocietySDS #FreedomFlotilla

Minneapolis, MN – More than 200 people gathered here, June 1, at the office of U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, to protest the Israeli murders of pro-Palestine activists who were bringing humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Speaking to the crowd, Meredith Aby of the Anti-War Committee said, “We are here today to protest the outrageous acts of the Israeli military on Monday, May 31 to the Freedom Flotilla which was trying to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza. Israeli commandos boarded the ships in international waters and killed at least ten people for the ‘crime’ of trying to bring humanitarian aid to Palestinians.”

Aby continued, “The Freedom Flotilla was a convoy of six ships carrying 700 activists, political leaders and journalists from over 20 countries. They were taking around 10,000 tons of basic aid, including food, educational supplies, medicines and construction material to break the brutal and illegal Israeli blockade on Gaza.”

Activists who were trying to bring humanitarian aid were taken hostage by the Israeli government. Some of them have been released and they are speaking out against their attack. Their reports include the following information:

• They used concussion grenades, sound bombs and pellets against the ships. People were attacked by the Israeli navy by plastic bullets, electric shocks and physical attacks.
• Mihalis Grigoropoulos from Greece told Aljazeera, “We did not resist at all, we couldn't even if we had wanted to. What could we have done against the commandos who climbed aboard? The only thing some people tried was to delay them from getting to the bridge, forming a human shield. They were fired upon with plastic bullets and were stunned with electric devices.”
• Hanin Zoabi, a member of the Israeli parliament, was on board the Miva Marmara, the ship that was the scene of a confrontation between activists and Israeli soldiers. That clash left at least ten people dead. She told CNN: “They started beating people. My head was smashed against the ground and they stepped on my head. They later cuffed me and put a bag over my head. They did that to everybody.”

Groups organizing the rally urged an end to all U.S. aid to Israel. They stated, “Israel's criminal actions cannot be permitted to continue. The United States directly supports Israeli atrocities with billions of dollars of military and economic aid every year. All of our Senators and Congressional representatives have supported this aid. This must stop. We call for an immediate end to U.S. ties to Israel. Specifically as people in Minnesota, we call for an end to Minnesota economic ties and financial support of Israel's atrocities.”

The protest was organized by the Coalition for Palestinian Rights, Women Against Military Madness, the Anti-War Committee, International Jewish anti-Zionist Network – Twin Cities, Minnesota Break the Bonds, and Teachers Against Occupation.

#MinneapolisMN #AntiwarMovement #Palestine #AntiWarCommittee #WomenAgainstMilitaryMadness #FreedomFlotilla #CoalitionForPalestinianRights #MiddleEast

PFLP condemns the murderous crimes of the Israeli pirates and salutes the heroes of the Freedom Flotilla

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine condemns the latest Israeli massacre on the high seas, in international waters, the brutal assault on the international Freedom Flotilla to Gaza on May 31, 2010. The Israeli state terror pirates, said the Front, attacked the humanitarian aid and international solidarity ships with firearms and commandos; the Front said that this is the latest crime against humanity committed by the occupation state, illustrating its blatant disregard for international law.

The Front saluted all of the members of the Freedom Flotilla, particularly the martyrs and wounded, saying that these are martyrs of the Palestinian people and the Palestinian cause, and of the struggle of people everywhere for liberation, justice and freedom, and will be immortal in our struggle, and that the Flotilla's prisoners are with the prisoners of our Palestinian Arab nation, prisoners of freedom in the hands of a terror occupation state.

It called upon the Palestinian movement in Palestine and in exile and all progressive forces around the world to continue and escalate their actions at Israeli embassies and consulates around the world, including emulating the example of the Turkish people in occupying the Israeli embassy in Anakara, and demanded an immediate end to any so-called indirect or direct negotiations with the murderous regime.

The Front demanded that all Arab nations end their relations with the occupation state and cut off diplomatic ties, demanding serious international action at an official level to bring the criminal leaders of the occupation state to justice in international courts and severely punish them for their crimes. Furthermore, the Front said that the United States government and all silent and complicit governments bear responsibility for this latest crime as well as all of the ongoing crimes of this occupation state against the Palestinian Arab people.

The Front pledged to hold fast to the examples of these activists, the latest martyrs of the great struggle of people for liberation and return and for justice in the face of an occupier and invader. They shall live on, the PFLP pledged, in the determination and resistance of the Palestinian people to see justice and freedom and end the crimes of the terror state.

#Palestine #PopularFrontForTheLiberationOfPalestine #FreedomFlotilla #MiddleEast