Voice of Revolution

U.S. Stop Aid to Israel!

Spirited Buffalo Action
Salutes Resistance in Palestine

A spirited and large demonstration of several hundred people stood firmly with the resistance in Palestine and demanded that the U.S. End Aid to Israel Now! Protesting in Niagara Square on July 18, the day after the ground invasion began, the many families and largely youthful crowd chanted and circled the square for more than two hours: Free Free Palestine! Not a Penny, Not a Dime, U.S. Stop All the Crimes! Gaza, Gaza Don’t You Cry, Palestine Will Never Die! Collective Punishment is a Crime, Make the Guilty Do the Time! When People are Occupied, Resistance is Justified! Obama, Netanyahu, You Can’t hide, We Charge You with Genocide! Free, Free Palestine!

The many signs, in English and Arabic, also made clear that protesters rejected the U.S. and Israeli Zionist claims of self-defense and efforts to paint the struggle as a religious one between Muslims and Jews. It is a fight for the right of Palestine to exist and for the U.S. and Israel to be held accountable for the crimes being committed. Indeed, a Jewish rabbi spoke, as did a Muslim imam, and Palestinian elder, all taking their stand in support of Palestine and the resistance. As the rabbi brought out, the Zionists are a political movement that does not represent Jews and is harming the people of Palestine and Israel. The imam spoke to the fact that this is the period of Ramadan for Muslims, and it is just that people are expressing their outrage and support for the struggle in Palestine. The elder expressed the importance of uniting as one with Palestine and stepping up efforts to end the crimes.

Other speakers emphasized the need to target the U.S., who funds the Israeli war machine and provides political backing to block efforts to hold Israel accountable. They brought out that both Obama and Cuomo blamed the Palestinians while justifying Israeli genocide, including the massacring of civilians and destroying hundreds of homes. The U.S. is guilty of the worst crimes, for refusing to block Israel and continuing to fund the bombing and killing in Gaza.

The spirit of the crowd was such that speakers were repeatedly interrupted as demands went up to Free Free Palestine! Not a Penny, Not a Dime, Israel Out of Palestine! A poem proclaiming Enough! was also read (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz9-j4Y6XHc&feature=youtu.be) and a brief history of the effort to crush Palestine given, ending with the call that children of Palestine will be free!

As the demonstrators marched around the square, their numbers almost completing the circle, car horns repeatedly blared in support. Many Palestinian flags were proudly waving. Organized mainly by young Palestinian women together with Buffalo Forum, the action brought together a broad front of people, energized by the many youth present. Organizing efforts are continuing as all unite to End U.S. Aid to Israel! Support Resistance in Palestine!

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