Posted on 12/31/2008 12:21:34 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
DEARBORN, Dec. 30--In one of the largest demonstrations in Dearborn in recent years, organizers estimated that some 5,000 people formed a human chain along Warren avenue in Dearborn, the heart of the Arab-American community in metropolitan Detroit, to express solidarity with the plight of the Palestinians now under siege in Gaza by the Israeli military.
Chanting slogans such as "Free, Free Palestine", the crowd flew Palestinian flags on the street along Warren avenue as well as from automobiles driving up and down the streets surrounding the demonstration. Although most of the demonstrators were of Palestinian and Arab heritage, there were several anti-war, peace and solidarity organizations represented who are based in the United States.
These groups oppose the aggressive policies of the Israeli government as well as US funding for Israeli military operations. Some of the groups present at the December 30 action were Jewish Voice for Peace, Solidarity, the Green Party of Detroit, the Palestine Office of Michigan and Jewish Witness for Peace.
The demonstration in Dearborn was called by the Congress of Arab-American Organizations. The editor of the locally published "Arab-American News", Osama Siblani, took decisive leadership in mobilizing the community for the gathering. In addition, Muslims from other nationalities attended the protest in an act of solidarity with the current plight of the Palestinians.
One of the leading anti-war and social justice organizations in the area, the Michigan Emergency Committee Against War & Injustice (MECAWI), participated in the demonstration in solidarity with the Palestinians in Dearborn. MECAWI members held signs calling for the end of the siege of Gaza and for the withdrawal of US aid from the state of Israel.
The MECAWI statement read in part that: "We condemn the U.S. complicity in the siege and bombings of Gaza and demand an immediate halt to ALL United States military and other aid to the outlaw state of Israel. The Zionist state is the largest recipient of U.S. aid in the world and is Washington’s outpost in the Middle East. Every single one of the bombs rained down on the people of Gaza, every single fighter jet and helicopter, every piece of artillery and ammunition, is bought and paid for by the United States – stolen from working peoples’ tax dollars.
"We demand that President-elect Barack Obama end his silence on the terror attacks and condemn Israel’s actions immediately. The millions of people who elected Obama did so in large part because they want peace and an end to endless war and militarism. The murderous onslaught against the people of Gaza requires the voicing of yeah or nay – to remain silent is to condone Israel’s barbaric genocide against the Palestinian people."
The MECAWI statement echoed the sentiment of anti-war forces around the US and the world. Former US Congresswoman and Green Party candidate for President in 2008, Cynthia McKinney, was part of the crew of the "Dignity", a boat seeking to deliver aid to the Palestinians under siege in Gaza. The boat was hit by an Israeli military vessel and refused entry.
In a CNN interview, McKinney appealed to President-elect Obama, to break his silence and to speak out against the humanitarian crisis created by the Isreali military forces in Gaza. Obama has yet to say anything about the Israeli massacres brought on by the aerial bombardments.
The demonstration in Dearborn received extensive press coverage in the Detroit area as well as nationally and internationally. A rally called after the demonstration was filled to capacity. Over 1,000 people could not get in and held a simultaneous gathering outside in the parking lot.
Other activities are being planned in the southeast Michigan area. The Batsheva Dance Company from Israel will be performing in Ann Arbor in February and activists there are calling for protests against the concert. The Palestine solidarity activists see these protests and part and parcel of the campaign for boycotts, disinvestment and sanctions (bds) against the state of Israel.
Jewish Voice for Peace and the American Jews for a Just Peace in Detroit are planning a public forum at the Royal Oak Public Libary on January 10, from 4:00-6:00pm. Barbara Harvey, an American Jew and labor/civil rights advocate and lawyer will report on current human rights, social and economic conditions in the Occupied Palestinian Territories through photographs and stories of her recent trip there.
Also MECAWI is planning a public educational meeting in Detroit in January to review the current crisis in light of the historical role of Israel in suppressing the democratic and national rights of the Palestinian people.
So, they notice that, too.
How many are really Communists and Anarchists from Canada? There was a riot in Toledo a few years back (”billed” as an “anti-fascist” action but they literally call FReepers AND President Bush fascists so take that word with a grain of salt).
Anyway, they rioted and blamed the black community while they turned and ran back to CANADA after their dirty deed was done. They still boasted about it online.
Well, those are 5000 people that should be rounded up and sent back to whatever Arab hell hole they spawned from.
You are right. We have a cancer in our midst. We need a civil war to overthrow the corrupt scum that rules us, and take our Republic back.
Dearborn Michigan, terrorist capital of the US.
If there’s not a civil war within the next eight years, it will be a TRAGEDY.
And not a Spectre gunship in sight. Damn shame, that.
L
Like I've been saying, Barack can't talk without Rahm to move his lips (Ayers is a bad idea, right now, it's the terrorist thing) and Rahm is hiding out in Kenya, waiting for Blago Gate to blow over.
Agreed, it’s a heartbreak to realize how correct you might be. They know no bounds in the death cult. They are certain to go too far, they do not love the America of the constitution.
I will never fight *against* America. But, recently I have realized the day might come that America, as conceived, will probably need to be defended right here. When they wreck America, where will we flee? THAT is the critical difference between us, and the other places where increasing tryanny and usurpation doesn’t lead to a response. The back of humanity and freedom is against the wall. America is humanity’s last stand.
To think, only a few short years ago, I truthfully thought the 2nd amendment reset button would probably never be used. That it was a museum piece, and that shooting was in truth, only a fun hobby.
Dearborn Michigan - isn’t that also UAW territory?
5000 in Dearbornistan march for 8 years of rocket attacks by terrorists.
Heard on an C-130 intercom: "You let the MOAB fall out the back of the aircraft? D*** it, loadmaster, you have really messed up this time!"
These peolple are terminally stupid. They wouldn't be so vocal if their collective ass was in Ashkelon right now.
What?! The tele-prompter doesn’t tell Obama what to say about this? Maybe if he slapped it a couple times and shook it up and down, it would tell him what to say?
You're so right. All those pressers with the big *Office of the President Elect* podium sure disappeared in a hurry.
Us.
Them.
I just had a one-on-one conversation with a Hamas-supporting Muslim (like basically all Muslims). I didn’t have to argue much of anything because the Muslim happily confirmed that there were “martyr” attacks against Isreali civilians. She also did not bother to deny that Hamas uses human shields. Apparently, so long as Hamas builds a school here and a hospital there, they have the right to use any woman or baby of their choosing.
I’m not going to debate with them anymore. They already know the truth, they just don’t have a conscience.
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