On Saturday, July 29, more than 2,000 people gathered in Anaheim—the heart of the Arab and Muslim community—for
a protest against the U.S.-Israeli war on the people of
Lebanon and
Palestine. The vast majority of protesters were from the Arab and Muslim community in the surrounding area. People brought hundreds of homemade signs denouncing the Israeli invasion of
Lebanon and the continued oppression of the Palestinian people. There were strong chants of “Stop the killing, stop the crime, from
Lebanon to
Palestine” as protesters marched on the sidewalk near a busy street. Hundreds of cars driving by honked in support; passengers waved large Palestinian or Lebanese flags out of their windows.
After the march, there was a short rally with speakers from community and supporting organizations. Muna Coobtee of the ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) gave a rousing anti-imperialist defense of the resistance in the region to U.S. imperialism and Israeli aggression. She raised support for the Aug. 12 national march on Washington and coordinated protest in Los Angeles. ANSWER volunteers got out thousands of Aug. 12 flyers to protesters and passersby.
The demonstration was sponsored by a host of Arab and Muslim groups, including the Council on American Islamic
Relations, National Council of Arab Americans, Arab American Council, Palestinian American Women’s Association,
Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation, Muslim Student Association-West, Palestinian American Congress, Palestine Aid Society and more. The ANSWER Coalition co-sponsored the event.
Photos: Bethany Malmgren
