Over 4,000 people from the Arab and Muslim communities and their supporters converged on downtown Chicago on July 22 to stop the U.S.-backed Israeli War on Lebanon and Palestine. After a spirited rally, demonstrators staged a militant march to the Israeli Consulate.
Loud chants of “Free, free Palestine,” “Free, free Lebanon,” and “Free, free Iraq” were directed at the building where Israeli diplomats have their offices. Protesters took over the street in front of the building, declaring they would keep marching until the U.S.-backed Israeli attacks on Lebanon and Palestine stop and the people of the Middle East are free of foreign domination.
Several busses to the demonstration were organized by the Arab and Muslim communities. Despite widespread repression and racism against their communities in the United States, many came out to stand with the people of Lebanon and Palestine. There was also large support from many other communities and progressive organizations in Chicago.
The march and rally was organized by the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago, the Council on
American-Islamic Relations-Chicago, the Arab American Action Network, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee and Palestine Solidarity Group. The protest was endorsed by ANSWER Chicago (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism), the American Friends Service Committee, the Chicago Coalition Against War and Racism, Fight Back Newspaper, Hammerhard Media, Not in My Name and Peace Pledge-Chicago.
