Minneapolis, MN – On Oct. 21, the Anti-War Committee here organized a picket of the Star Tribune newspaper to protest the local mainstream media for the lack of coverage of Israeli settler violence. Dozens picketed the state’s largest newspaper with signs calling for an end to U.S. aid to Israel and a banner denouncing a media blackout of Palestine.

The Palestinian News Agency reported this weekend, “Sources said that a settler deliberately ran over Inas Khalil and Toleen Asfoor, both aged five, while walking home from kindergarten near the entrance of the village of Sinjil; a settler, coming from nearby settlements, drove toward the two girls and ran them over before fleeing the scene.” Khalil died of her injuries and Asfoor is still in a critical situation. This story has outraged Palestinians but has received little attention in the U.S.

Meredith Aby-Keirstead, a spokesperson for the Anti-War Committee who traveled to the West Bank in 2002 to document Israeli settler violence explained, “This is one example of growing settler violence on the West Bank which has continued from this summer's murder of another Palestinian child, Mohammad Abu Khdeir , age 16, by Israeli settler violence in July. The world is outraged.”

Aby-Keirstead continued, “Meanwhile the Star Tribune and other local mainstream media have covered the conflict in a way that excludes Palestinian voices. The Star Tribune didn't even bother to cover this child's murder. Instead on Monday the paper ran ‘Unable to come up with a new strategy, Abbas turns to more belligerent rhetoric’ which is a lopsided article which is very critical of Palestinian leaders, mocks Palestinian claims of genocide and doesn’t mention any Israeli military or settler violence.”

Aby-Keirstead concluded, “The local Palestinian community is outraged and asked the Anti-War Committee to organize an action to draw attention to increasing settler violence and to the death of this particular five-year-old. As the mother of a five-year-old myself, this story has a particular emotional connection to me.”

Protesters were also encouraged to participate in the Committee to Stop FBI Repression’s call in day to support Rasmea Odeh.

The Minnesota Anti-War Committee’s next protests will be focused on the midterm elections and pressuring U.S. Senate candidates to stop supporting aid to Israel.

#MinneapolisMN #AntiwarMovement #Palestine #AntiWarCommittee #StarTribune

Minneapolis, MN – A Twin Cities protest in solidarity with Gaza, Aug. 6, included a dramatic expression of solidarity with the people of Gaza – a die-in at the front door of the largest newspaper in Minnesota.

As names of Palestinians killed in the Israeli attack on Gaza were read, a participant would lay on the sidewalk in front of the doors of the Star Tribune office doors. Over 50 people joined in the die-in.

It was a moving expression of the tremendous loss of life caused by the latest war in Gaza.

One participant said, “The die-in gave expression to the horrible loss of life that has been the result of the war on Gaza.”

The protest was called by the Anti-War Committee (AWC) and supported by a range of organizations.

The protest started off at the office of Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar. For almost an hour over 200 people picketed Klobuchar’s office to demand an end to U.S. aid to Israel. People honked their car horns in solidarity with the protest, waved and yelled support.

Organizers with the AWC say that Senator Klobuchar has failed to represent her constituents by her recent actions. “She has co-sponsored two resolutions supporting Israel’s military aggression under the lie of ‘self-defense’, signed on to AIPAC letters to the president, and on July 17 she voted for Senate Resolution 498 in support of Israel’s war of aggression on Gaza even as Israeli troops were invading,” said Meredith Aby-Keirstead for the AWC. Aby-Keirstead traveled to Gaza as part of 2002 delegation in solidarity with the Palestinian people.

After the picket at the office, there was a street march through downtown rush hour traffic that ended at the Star Tribune office building. Thousands of people saw the march as it made its way through rush hour traffic.

A statement issued by organizers explained the march to the Star Tribune as being part of a call for fair media reporting on the growing international movement in solidarity with Palestine.

Organizers note that thousands of people have joined Twin Cities area protests over the past month, but media has largely ignored the local community response to this ongoing crisis. Aby-Keirstead said, “By failing to report on mobilizations that have both upheld the courage and endurance of the Palestinian people and demanded an end U.S. support for Israeli war crimes, local mainstream media has served the war agenda.”

Organizers oppose the ongoing policy of sending $3 billion annually in military aid to Israel, but are also critical of special funds sent during the current crisis. “On July 23, the U.S. Defense Department tapped into a $1 billion weapons stockpile the U.S. keeps in Israel to resupply Israel’s reign of terror. President Obama claims to ‘support peace’ by increasing military aid to Israel while it is waging a brutal war on Gaza.” Aby-Keirstead continued, “According to the Gaza health ministry, as of Aug. 4, at least 1867 have been killed, including at least 429 children. Our tax dollars have funded the bombing and targeting of schools, hospitals, homes and even UN shelters.”

Protesters acknowledged the current ceasefire but also pledged to continue taking to the streets so long as Israeli attacks continue and to hold Minnesota's members of Congress accountable for their anti-Palestine voting records.

#MinneapolisMN #AntiwarMovement #Gaza #Palestine #StarTribune