Thursday, July 27, 2006

Activist Opportunities In NY

An anonymous poster quoted a Military Families Speak Out member Georgia Stillwell in a new comment here. I hope the implication of the excerpt from the brave anonymous reader wasn't to suggest that the keeper of this blog or its readers are a bunch of comfort-zone livin', easy-chair sittin' armchair types.
Generally, I agree. People gotta get out there. I've been wondering myself just what opportunities there are for activism in NYC right now. So, here are a few:

Friday:
Demonstration
Friday, July 28
3:30PM to 6:30PM
Location: Israeli Mission to the UN (42nd St. & 2nd Ave.)


Israel out of Gaza! Israel out of Lebanon! Justice for the people of the
Middle East!


Saturday:

This Saturday there is a major march against the Israeli invasion of
Lebanon and assault on Gaza. It will be the largest city-wide
demonstration of opposition to the continuing horrific news. Please
come out to show our outrage and our solidarity.


STOP U.S. Sponsored Israeli Terror
March Across Brooklyn Bridge

Stop the Invasion of Lebanon!
End the Occupation of Palestine!
Stop U.S. Aid to Israel!
Free Arab Political Prisoners in Israel!

SATURDAY JULY 29, 2PM
Gather at CADMAN PLAZA PARK, Brooklyn

Sponsored by the Ad-Hoc Coalition for Justice in the Middle East
Endorsers: Act Now to Stop War and End Racism, International
Solidarity Movement- NYC, International Socialist Organization,
National Council of Arab-Americans, Network of Arab-American
Professionals of NY-PC, NY Campaign for Boycott,Divestment, and
Sanctions, Jews Against the Occupation NYC.

United for Peace and Justice have also published a general call to oppose Israeli aggression. (check their events calendar for weekly anti-recruiting actions with teh War Resisters League.)

NEW: for Monday:
EMERGENCY CALL TO ACTION
PROTEST ISRAELI MASSACRE IN QANA
DEMAND ACTION
When: 5:00 P.M. - July 31, 2006
Where: Dag Hammarsjold Plaza at 46th and 1st, slightly north of the
United Nations, followed by a march to Ralph Bunche Park, directly
across from the UN. From there, march on 42nd street, past Grand
Central, to Times Square.
Why: On July 30, 2006 Israel bombed a building where 100 civilians
had taken shelter, massacring at least 54 Lebanese civilians,
including 37 children in the city of Qana. Israeli missiles struck
just after one in the middle of the night, leveling a three-story
building where two extended families had taken refuge in the basement
from heavy Israeli bombardment in the area.
France, Britain, Spain, the European Union, the United Nations and
countries throughout the world condemned the Israeli attack on Qana.
Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora denounced the attack as a "war
crime," demanding an immediate ceasefire in a conflict that has now
killed more than 750 Lebanese people, more than half of which were
children, and has left a trail of destruction across the country.
The attack was eerily reminiscent of the Israeli attack in April 1996
on a United Nations base in Qana that killed more than 100 civilians
who were taking refuge in the base during Israel's "Grapes of Wrath"
bombing campaign.
This is not the first massacre Israel has carried out. This is not
the first time Israel is condemned by the international community for
its attacks against civilians. If we do not act now it will not be
the last.
Come out to protest this vicious attack against the people of Lebanon.
Demand that your tax-dollars stop being sent to kill people in
Palestine and Lebanon.
Support Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel.
Bring Palestinian and Lebanese flags and signs demanding an
unconditional ceasefire, an end to U.S. Aid to Israel, and U.N.
Sanctions on Israel.
Ad-Hoc Coalition for Justice in the Middle East – protectpalestine@gmail.com.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

see you there

reb said...

sadly, despite my desire to promote activism, I have a real, immediate and VERY pressing deadline (6 weeks away) and a 400 page book to rewrite. However, I will be back out in the streets as soon as September rolls around. Something tells me that my presence there tomorrow won't make or break the revolution. BUT -- I would LOVE it if you would write a report of the demo so that I could know what I missed.