Aug. 12 protest for Lebanon and Palestine draws 800

A diverse crowd of about 800 protestors gathered at the federal building in Seattle on Aug. 12 to protest the U.S.-Israeli

war on the people of Lebanon and Palestine. The Muslim community was particularly visible. Spirited demonstrators chanted between speakers at the rally.

The demonstration was held in conjunction with the national emergency march on Washington, D.C., initiated by the ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism), the National Council of Arab Americans and the Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation. Local endorsers in Seattle included Stand Up Seattle, Palestine Solidarity Committee, Voices of Palestine, Arab American Community Coalition, the Green Party of Seattle, People’s Coalition for Justice, Youth Against War and Racism and others.

Speakers included Malik Rahim of the Common Ground Collective in New Orleans, Nada Elia of the National Council of Arab Americans, Mike Castaneda of the People’s Institute Northwest, Jane Cutter of the ANSWER Coalition; Aaron Dixon, former Black Panther Party member and anti-war candidate for Senate. Ed Mast of the International Solidarity Movement told the crowd how to get involved in the Lebanese Civilian Aid Caravan. Judy Linehan of Military Families Speak Out also addressed the crowd, calling for support for the four military resisters currently being held at nearby Ft. Lewis. The rally concluded with a spirited performance by Sons of Hajjar, an Arab American rap group.