PROTEST FOR GAZA: “Let Gaza Live! Obama, YES WE CAN speak of freedom for GAZA and all of Palestine!”, Rte. 13 & Clinton St., Ithaca

TUES. Jan 20 & THURS. Jan 22, 3:30 -5:30 PM
Rt. 13 & Clinton st.- Ithaca, NY
(near CVS and Wegmans Bridge)

On this historic Inauguration Day, let us send a message to our new President Obama, that
YES WE CAN stand with the people of Gaza and the rest of Palestine!
YES WE CAN hold Israel accountable to the same standards of International Law that we expect of all nations, including the US!
YES WE CAN Let Gaza Live! just as we want the same for all peoples.  As Dr. Martin Luther King said, “Let Freedom Ring” ….including freedom for the people of Gaza and for all Palestinians.

The demonstrations are still on, despite the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza (a note on why is below).

The demonstrations are hosted by CNY Campaign to End the Occupation of Palestine.

FOR INFO: 607-273-7437

Some have asked why we are still demonstrating against Israel’s assault on Gaza.  Here’s why:

Israel has begun withdrawing many of its tanks and troops from Gaza, saying they will be completely withdrawn by the time of Obama’s inauguration.  Despite this step forward, Palestinians are still in
dire poverty caused by Israel.  Here are some stats from BEFORE israels’ recent offensive:

Israel’s blockade has severely restricted Gazan exports (Palestinians used to grow strawberries, flowers, as well as run nearly 4,000 factories that produce textiles, furniture, food and agricultural products.  During Israel’s blockade, 95% of Gaza’s industrial facilities closed or were operating at minimal levels.  Unemployment
was over 50% in the Gaza strip.

In November of last year, 3 out of 4 Gazans were forced to rely on food aid.  Despite the “truce” signed between Hamas and Israel earlier in the year, Gazans still experienced 75% malnutrition, 46% of children have acute anemia, thousands of children need hearing aids because of constant sonic booms from Israeli jets, and there have been constant shortages of blood supplies, electricity, drinking water, flour, bread.  And this was DURING the truce, before Israel’s last offensive.

The tunnels Gazans dug, run by Hamas, were the lifeline of Gazans, bringing in not just weapons (as the media portrays them) but also food, fuel and medical supplies.  Now Israel has destroyed that lifeline in the latest assault- along with 1,100 lives and much of Gaza’s infrastructure.

Its essential that we demand more than just a full Israeli withdrawal – the BORDERS MUST BE OPENED to humanitarian aid, Israel should pay REPARATIONS to Palestinians for the destruction they’ve caused, and the United States should DIVEST from funding Israel’s destruction. The only reason Israeli exists as an apartheid state which ethnically cleanses Palestinians in because of OUR taxdollars.

These protests are an essential part of building a broader movement against the destruction carried out by the Israeli government and against US imperialism.

-Kay S.
International Socialist Organization