Vol. 73/No. 3      January 26, 2009

Militant/Nancy Boyasko

Dan Fein, Socialist Workers candidate for mayor of New York, addresses January 11 demonstration there.

“While Mayor Michael Bloomberg recently visited Israel on a ‘solidarity’ visit, the Socialist Workers campaign has been marching in the streets of New York and Washington, D.C., in solidarity with the Palestinian struggle and against Israeli aggression,” Fein said speaking at a January 11 rally in Times Square. Some 5,000 braved the cold to march and rally against the Israeli aggression in Gaza.

“Not a nickel, not a dime, no more money for Israel’s crimes!” was one of the many chants protesters enthusiastically yelled as they marched from 42nd Street and Times Square past the New York Times Building to the CNN building on 58th Street. Many chants were in Arabic as well. A large number of demonstrators were Muslim, including many youth in high school and college, who were organized by their mosques to participate in the action. Many were Arab or Arab-American.

“My campaign calls for the withdrawal of Israel’s troops from Gaza,” Fein said speaking into a bullhorn during an impromptu street meeting at the end of the march. “Stop the bombing! End the blockade! Open the borders! End the billions of dollars of aid the United States sends Israel every year, which helps them carry out these attacks in Gaza!” the socialist candidate said to cheers and applause. Dozens of his campaign supporters sold the Militant and passed out copies of a campaign statement calling for an end to the aggression and for a democratic, secular Palestine.

Ten people were arrested as a pro-Israel provocateur started a fight at the end of the rally.

The International Action Center, Al-Awda coalition, and others organized the protest. This is the second weekend in a row that thousands have marched in the city in support of the Palestinians’ struggle against Israeli occupation. Other smaller meetings and protests have been taking place here since the assault began.

Gov. David Paterson and Sen. Charles Schumer, both Democrats, were featured speakers at a pro-Israel rally that drew thousands a few blocks away from Times Square that day. Schumer and Paterson attempted to present Israel as the victim. “What country would be asked not to defend itself?” Schumer asked. “Would any country that had rockets launched at it day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year be told, ‘Let the rockets continue. Just sit down and talk?’”
 
 
Related articles:
End Israeli assault on Gaza Strip now!
Oppose Washington’s support to Israel
Washington protesters: End assault on Gaza!
Protests around world condemn Israeli war
No solution for Palestine in imperialist framework
 
 
 
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