Cassia Laham of People’s Opposition to War, Imperialism, and Racism (POWIR) in Fort Lauderdale states, “The South Florida anti-war and pro-Palestine communities have been mobilizing for Rasmea ever since her case first went to trial. We understand the importance of keeping this amazing Palestinian hero out of jail. She survived the unlivable horrors in occupied Palestine at the hands of Israeli soldiers, and, instead of coming to the U.S. and forgetting her homeland, Rasmea began organizing in the streets of Chicago for immigrant rights, women's justice and against police brutality. She is a relentless warrior and we have supported her through this witch-hunt against her and we will continue to do so in Cincinnati at her trial.”

Laham continued, “If one 67-year-old woman can survive occupation and torture at the hands of Israeli military, come to the U.S. and continue organizing for justice even after her imprisonment, then surely the pro-Palestine community can mobilize in her defense!”

A rally will take place in front of the Federal Courthouse at 8:00 a.m., Oct. 14, and supporters will attend the hearing.

#FtLauderdale #FL #Palestine #PoliticalPrisoners #Florida #GrandJuries #PoliticalRepression #POWIR #RasmeaOdeh #SouthFlorida

Fort Lauderdale, FL – 400 people protested outside the U.S. Federal Courthouse here to demand an end to the Israeli massacre in Gaza. The large demonstration called for the U.S. to end all military aid to Israel. Also, protesters denounced biased U.S. corporate news reporting about the Israeli war on Palestine.

In this latest offensive against the people of Gaza, Israel has killed over 400 Palestinians in their homes and neighborhoods. Israeli shelling is now leveling entire villages. There is no time between explosions for families to even mourn their dead. Meanwhile, President Obama continues to reiterate the U.S. unwavering support for Israel.

In Fort Lauderdale, the hundreds of protestors who gathered expressed their anger and frustration toward the U.S. and Israeli governments continued war against the people of Palestine. Protesters waved large Palestinian flags and held signs reading, “Free Palestine now,” “One state is the only solution,” and “Stop using my tax dollars to fund Israeli terror.” Cars driving by honked in solidarity with the crowd.

“We are here to demand one thing: Free Palestine!” Anas Amireh, lead organizer with Al-Awada South Florida, told the crowd. “In this country, we are seeing cuts to education, cuts to social and public services, entire cities like Detroit going bankrupt, and yet this government continues to use over $3 billion of our taxes every year to fund Israeli occupation and war crimes against the Palestinian people!”

Protesters chanted, “Netanyahu, shame on you, kids are dying ‘cause of you!” Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, is vowing to continue the assault on Palestine. A majority of those in attendance were Palestinians, many of whom have family living in Gaza. Emotions ran high as the crowd chanted, “Gaza, Gaza, don’t you cry, Palestine will never die!”

“Let's continue to organize against a for-profit economic and political system that banks on continued war and terror in Palestine and everywhere!” Cassia Laham, an organizer with POWIR, said. “Let's organize against any and all U.S. intervention in the Middle East and other parts of the world. Let's organize against political repression of activists, especially in the Arab communities, by the U.S. government. That is how we can help put an end to what is happening all the way in Palestine!”

The large crowd dispersed after two hours, vowing to continue to organize and protest until the bombs stop dropping on Gaza and Palestine is free. The event was organized by a coalition of local progressive groups including Al-Awda (Palestinian Right to Return Coalition), POWIR (People’s Opposition to War, Imperialism, and Racism) and Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP).

#FortLauderdaleFL #ForthLauderdaleFL #Palestine #POWIR #FtLauderdale #MiddleEast

Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Over fifty people protested U.S. backed Israeli violence on July 6 at the U.S. Federal Building in downtown Ft. Lauderdale. The Israeli government is using airstrikes and the army to attack Palestinians. In tandem, Israeli settlers kidnapped, tortured, and burned to death a teenager. Then an Israeli police intelligence unit was caught on video, brutally beating a fifteen-year-old boy from Tampa, Florida.

In Fort Lauderdale, families with children waved Palestinian flags and held signs reading “Justice for Palestine” “One state is the only solution” and “Free Palestine.” The protest was held in support of justice and liberation for Palestinians. Leaders called on the U.S. government to stop supporting Israeli aggression and human rights violations. The U.S. government sends Israel $3.1 billion annually in aid, much of it military aid. The United States has spent $121 billion on Israel since it seized Palestinian lands and stole Palestinian people’s houses, businesses, and farms.

Members of Al-Awda South Florida, Students for Justice in Palestine – FAU, Broward Green Party, People’s Opposition to War, Imperialism, and Racism (POWIR), Dream Defenders, and religious leaders participated. Cars driving by honked in solidarity as the protestors chanted “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!” and “Gaza, Gaza don’t you cry, Palestine will never die.”

The death toll of Palestinians continues to rise, the occupation of Palestinian land by armed Israeli settlers expands, and the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians continues. Anas Amireh, an organizer with Al-Awda South Florida, highlighted the sad story of two cousins. Tariq Abu Khdeir is a fifteen-year-old Palestinian-American from Tampa. He was beaten and arrested by masked Israeli police last week. He is now under house-arrest. Sadly, his sixteen-year-old cousin, Muhammad Abu Khdeir, was found dead on Wednesday, tortured, stabbed, then burned to death and dumped in a forest.

These brutal actions by armed Israeli settlers, some of them teenagers with automatic weapons, is propelling cities across the country to hold protests in solidarity with these two teenage boys. Solidarity activists are demanding the U.S. government stop funding Israel and calling for an end to the anti-democratic Israeli Apartheid system. The south Florida protest also called on U.S. corporate media to stop their biased reporting.

#FtLauderdale #FtLauderdaleFL #Palestine #PeoplesStruggles #Israel #Oppression #MiddleEast