On July 11, over 75 Palestinians and allies came together to protest against Israel’s collective punishment of Gaza. Demonstrators filled the four corners of the busy Forbes Ave. and Bigelow Blvd. intersection in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Hadeel Salame and Nour Al-Rifai, two Palestinian students at the University of Pittsburgh, organized the rally with others to protest US taxes providing critical military aid to Israel’s campaign of ethnic cleansing and “to spread awareness of what’s going on in Gaza, because most people really don’t know, and the news is very biased and one sided.”
The rally was lively with constant chanting, and speakers including a local ANSWER organizer described the nature of Israeli apartheid and the mutually beneficial relationship between Israel and US imperialism. People exploded with cheers as drivers-by honked and raised fists in solidarity. Some of the favorite chants showed the militant nature and consciousness for national liberation of the demonstrators: “US taxes pay for war – we say Israel gets no more!” “Resistance is justified when people are occupied!” “Netanyahu, you can’t hide – we charge you with genocide!”
After the protest, I asked Hadeel her thoughts on how Americans can express solidarity with the Palestinians facing state terrorism from Israel: “Americans need to start boycotting Israel. The only way Palestinians will be free from Israeli apartheid, from the way I see it, is to apply economic, cultural, and international pressure onto Israel by shunning its products that profit by the occupation. This is called the BDS [boycott,divestment and sanctions] movement, it is how South Africa became free from its apartheid state and the most reasonable way I see Palestine being free.”
Hadeel also suggested a number of ways to aid Gazans, such as donating to UNICEF, Islamic Relief USA, Medical Aid for Palestinians, Life Relief Foundation, and CAIRE. She added, “Another way Americans can help is by calling Gazans, and asking them for themselves what they need from us to do, even calling to say ‘Hey, I hear your cries and I care,’ can really up their spirits. To reach Gaza, Americans can dial +970828 XXXXX (add random numbers composed of 5 digits) or by dialing +970820 XXXXX or even +970821 XXXXX.”
Another rally for Palestine has been scheduled for the following Friday at the same location. After the rally there will be fundraising for the above-mentioned relief organizations.
