On June 6, hundreds of demonstrators rallied in San Francisco’s U.N. plaza to protest the 42nd anniversary of Israel’s occupation of Gaza and the West Bank. The rally was called by the ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) and was co-sponsored by a number of organizations including Muslim American Society Freedom, Free Palestine Alliance, Al-Awda, and World Can’t Wait.
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Speaking for Youth and Student ANSWER in the South Bay, high school student Faris Barhoum talked about the need to continue bringing the voice of Palestinians to the people around the world. Cristina Gutierrez, a well-known leader of the immigrant rights movement in the Bay Area, challenged Israel’s manipulation of religion to justify its ongoing crimes against the Palestinians.
Richard Becker of the ANSWER Coalition talked about statements from Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu in which he makes admissions of war crimes.
Several of the speakers referenced President Obama’s speech in Cairo and how the U.S. continues to extend its full support for Israel, even as Gaza lies in ruins. Several speakers pointedly defended the right of Palestinian people to defend themselves through any means necessary against the murderous violence perpetrated against them by Israel.
