Milwaukee, WI – May 15 marked the 74th anniversary of the Nakba, the day that Zionist paramilitaries began the violent removal of Palestinians from a majority of their historic homeland. Various organizations in Milwaukee, led primarily by American Muslims for Palestine and Students for Justice in Palestine, hosted a rally near the lakefront downtown to commemorate the tragedy that drew over 100 people. The event was co-sponsored by a variety of faith-based organizations representing Muslims, Christians and Jews.

The speakers also used the time to condemn the Israeli Defense Forces assassination of prominent Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh and to call on legislators to end U.S. support for Israeli war crimes. Many of the faith leaders made appeals to the people who follow their respective religions to practice what they preach and stand up for justice.

Leaders from the Milwaukee branch of Jewish Voice for Peace condemned the complicity of some members of the local Jewish community, particularly highlighting the fact that many choose to celebrate the Nakba as “Israeli Independence Day.”

“We know that American Jewish support is the backbone of U.S. support for the criminal, racist, apartheid state of Israel, and without it, Palestine liberation would be closer to reality,” said Lorraine Halinka Malcoe, co-founder of Milwaukee JVP.

Janan Nejeeb of the Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition gave an impassioned speech uplifting the role of struggle. “Palestine will be free because we have generation after generation that has not forgotten and will never forget,” said Nejeeb. “And to those who are celebrating the racism and the brutality of Israel over on the North Side, we want you to know that Palestine will be free and that we grow like seeds!”

Since the wave of mass actions around the Palestinian struggle in the spring and early summer of 2021, the local branches of both American Muslims for Palestine and Students for Justice in Palestine have been revitalized. Within the last several weeks, the SJP chapter at Marquette University was successful in getting the student government to pass a resolution endorsing the Boycott, Divestment and Sanction campaign. The students continue their work to get the university to remove all Israeli products from campus, starting with Sabra hummus.

Like all other things, the movement for justice in Palestine has expanded as the contradictions in the whole system become sharper. More and more people now than ever before are standing up and joining the fight to free Palestine and end Israeli apartheid.

#MilwaukeeWI #Palestine #StudentsForJusticeInPalestineSJP #JewishVoicesForPeace #NakbaDay #MiddleEast

Miami, FL – Thousands of people from across South Florida took to the streets of Miami two nights in a row this past weekend in solidarity with Palestinians who continue to resist Israeli violence and the ongoing occupation of Palestine. The calls to action were put out by South Florida Jewish Voices for Peace and Al Awda: The Palestinian Right to Return Coalition and were supported by most progressive community organizations throughout the area.

On Saturday night, May 15, thousands of protesters flooded Biscayne Park and the Torch of Friendship before taking over the streets of one of the busiest areas in South Florida. Activists held signs that read, “Palestine will be free” and “Stop the genocide in Gaza,” as others waved large Palestinian flags. Chants of “Free, free Palestine,” reverberated from the glassy Miami skyscrapers as protesters marched through the financial district of downtown Miami.

Sunday night’s protest took place in Wynwood, Miami’s art and design district. Once again, an unending sea of protesters took to the streets, shutting down the entire district known for its murals, drinks and overpriced eateries. Notable signs included, “Jews for justice in Palestine,” and “Israel is an apartheid state.” Protesters chanted, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” as their banners and flags waved in the wind. Even the passing Miami rainstorm did not deter protesters from marching and chanting.

Perhaps most impressive was the amount of support from onlookers, shoppers, restaurant employees and customers. Cars honked in support, passersby raised fists in solidarity, patrons stood from their tables and clapped. Unlike past Palestine demonstrations in the area, no counter-protesters showed up.

Organizers reported that both nights of protest were each the largest gatherings for Palestine South Florida has ever witnessed. They vowed to continue the movement with two upcoming events Tuesday, May 18, and Thursday, May 20 in Fort Lauderdale.

#MiamiFL #AntiwarMovement #OppressedNationalities #Palestine #MiddleEast #PeoplesStruggles #AlAwda #JewishVoicesForPeace

Chicago, IL – 150 protesters confronted the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago as it rallied in support of the murderous Israeli war on Gaza, Aug. 21. Palestinian flags flew alongside a big cardboard sign that read, “Occupation is a crime, From Ferguson to Palestine.”

The Students for Justice in Palestine organized a die-in on the sidewalk in front of the Hilton and Towers hotel. Meanwhile, a dozen activists with Jewish Voice for Peace, the Anti-War Committee, and others repeatedly disrupted the speeches by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and an Israeli Defense Forces soldier who had participated in the attacks on Gaza.

Hatem Abudayyeh of the Chicago Coalition for Justice in Palestine and the U.S. Palestinian Community Network reminded the crowd at the end of the protest of the victory scored in Oakland, California when Palestinians and their supporters, along with the members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union stopped an Israeli ship from unloading at the docks. Kait McIntyre of the Anti-War Committee urged people to come to court Aug. 26 at 9:00 a.m., 555 W. Harrison, to support those arrested at the protest against Boeing Company in July.

#ChicagoIL #AntiwarMovement #Palestine #MayorRahmEmmanuel #AntiWarCommitteeChicago #JewishVoicesForPeace #MiddleEast