Mil 64/43: Protests condemm brutal Israeli repression
Luko Willms
The Militant - November 13, 2000 -- Protesters condemn brutal Israeli
repression
Vol.64/No.43 November 13, 2000
Protesters condemn brutal Israeli repression
BY SAM MANUEL
WASHINGTON--Several thousand people marched and rallied here October
28 to oppose the Israeli regime's repression against the Palestinian
people.
Banners and large Palestinian flags were carried by contingents of
protesters from Boston; Dearborn and Detroit, Michigan; Chicago;
Cleveland; and Paterson and other cities in New Jersey. In conjunction
with the rally, several hundred young people attempted to picket just
outside the White House gate. A throng of helmeted police sealed off
the sidewalk and street, forcing them back into Lafayette park.
The action was organized by a coalition of Islamic centers and other
Arab-American organizations. Among them were the American Muslim
Council, Muslim Student Association, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination
Committee, Islamic Society of North America, and the Palestine Right
to Return Coalition.
"I came because what is taking place in Palestine is horrible," stated
Ahmad El-Tab, 15. He came with four busloads of people from the
Paterson area, home to a large Arab community. "The Israelis think
they are unbeatable and that the Palestinians should be their slaves.
We are showing them in the streets that we are human beings," El-Tab
said. He proudly pointed out that 30 students from his high school
were also there.
"The U.S. media and government have taken the side of Israel," stated
26-year-old Ali Amin. He came with a busload from Chicago. Amin added,
"We are here to show there is support in this country for the
Palestinian people."
"We are described as those people who hate the Jews and are always
fighting," said Alisah Alaq, who came with her family from Dearborn.
"But the people of Palestine are like me--they have families, homes,
and jobs. We are not fighting Israeli people. Our fight is with the
Zionist government of Israel, which has stolen the Palestinian land."
Clinton and Lazio smear Muslims
Some demonstrators expressed outrage at U.S. politicians who have
smeared Arab immigrants as terrorists. They pointed to the senatorial
campaign in New York, where Democratic candidate Hillary Rodham
Clinton demonstratively returned a $50,000 donation from a Muslim
organization after her Republican opponent, Richard Lazio, implied it
was a "terrorist" group.
"It is as if money from American Muslims is not the same as it is from
other Americans," remarked an indignant Rima Samo, who came with other
Palestinian-Americans from Hawthorne, New Jersey.
Most of the speakers from the platform were leaders of Islamic
organizations. Many of them called on the Clinton administration to
take action to get negotiations resumed between Israeli and
Palestinian officials. Some, like Khalid Turaani, director of one of
the sponsoring Islamic groups, said the U.S. government was
"pandering" to "the powerful voice of the Israelis," and argued, "Our
administration has the responsibility to play an evenhanded role."
Speakers urged demonstrators to lobby the Democratic and Republican
party presidential candidates.
Related articles:
Tel Aviv intensifies assault on Palestinians
For a democratic, secular Palestine
Israel is enemy of Palestinian, Jewish toilers
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