By Elaine Brower and Thomas Good
NEW YORK — On Saturday, January, in solidarity with other protests around the world, members of Movement for a Democratic Society-Staten Island joined with over 100 protesters 10th in Harlem to denounce the indiscriminate bombing of Gazan civilians by Israeli armed forces. The event was one of many protests in recent days as the world takes to the streets in defense of Gaza. Protesters across the globe are demanding an immediate ceasefire by Israel, which has the support of the United States government in its assault on the Palestinian civilian population. Over the last two weeks, the movement against Israeli aggression has grown throughout the world. However, in spite of a UN resolution for Israel to stop the bombing, the United States Congress–both the Senate and the House–passed bi-partisan resolutions last week in support of Israel’s “right to defend itself” against terrorism. Conversely, the number of civilians killed, particularly women and children, has caused many in the peace movement to accuse the Israelis of committing genocide.
In response to the Israeli aggression, Movement for a Democratic Society, World Can’t Wait, the Harlem Revolution Club, the New Black Panther Party and members of various Arab-American activist groups joined together Saturday, in front of the Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office building on 125th Street and 7th Avenue. On a cold and snowy afternoon the assembled activists were warmed only by their outrage. Demands shouted into bullhorns, audible over the din of the traffic in the bustling shopping center, announced “Down, Down Israel!”, “Free, Free Palestine,” and “From Harlem to Gaza, we are all Palestinians!”. Protesters ranging in age from 2 to 62 marched through the streets of Harlem, calling attention to what is happening in the Middle East.
The vibrant procession was met with shouts of solidarity, and questioned as to what was happening. A number of pedestrians were happy to see the march taking place, told protesters to keep up the fight, and a few joined the march as it wound down 125th Street. Drivers honked their horns in support, people on the buses waved, and even some members of the NYPD, who accompanied the unpermitted march, were overheard saying they denounced what Israel was doing to the people of Gaza.
The march concluded back at the state office building at 3 p.m., with some of the protesters continuing on to Union Square to join another protest for peace and justice in Gaza.
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CNN is reporting that on Sunday, January 11th, at a protest organized by the International Action Center, the NYPD arrested a number of protesters for allegedly injuring seven police officers. Despite the allegations of injury, the protesters are charged with disorderly conduct — a violation, not a crime — and “reckless endangerment.” Protesters report that police indiscriminately pepper sprayed them, a claim the NYPD denies, according to the NY Daily News. Protesters also reported that the police charged the crowd with horses — and targeted young Arab-American males. Organizers are asking activists to pack the courtroom at 100 Centre Street on Monday morning at 9 a.m. where a number of those arrested will be arraigned.
Additional protests in defense of Gaza are scheduled.
On Monday, January 12th, a formation called “Jews Say Not In Our Name” — which includes Michael Ratner of the Center for Constitutional Rights — will hold a vigil at the Israeli consulate at 5:30 p.m. The consulate is located at 800 Second Avenue between 42nd and 43rd Streets.
On Tuesday, January 13th, United for Peace and Justice is holding a vigil at the US Mission, located at 140 E. 45th Street (between Third Avenue and Lexington Ave). The vigil runs from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.