Photo: New York City demonstration at Times Square
Today was a historic day for the movement in solidarity with Palestine. In dozens of cities and towns across the country, tens of thousands took to the streets to support the Palestinian people's just struggle for liberation with less than 24 hours notice.
While the government that speaks in our name signs the checks that pay for [neocolonialism’s] massacres, the impressive scale of these emergency actions made it clear that the people stand with Palestine. The ANSWER Coalition is proud to have joined with other organizations in helping to organize and initiate many of these actions. And this struggle is just beginning — mobilizations are continuing nationwide.
Washington, D.C.
Los Angeles, California
San Francisco, California
The unrelenting oppression, murder, torture and occupation carried out by the [neocolonial] apartheid régime has precipitated a counter-offensive by Palestinian resistance forces. The [neocolonial] war machine, and its attendant systems of oppression, are bought and paid for by U.S. [neo]imperialism. U.S. tax dollars fund the grinding oppression of the Palestinian people to the tune of $4 billion each year.
Many of the actions today were slandered and vilified by politicians who shamefully stand with the apartheid government in [the Middle East]. Protesters refused to be silenced and proudly took to the streets. We know that we are on the right side of history -- and those who stand with a racist regime that systematically and horrifically violates fundamental rights are on the wrong side.
The nationwide protests demanded the U.S. immediately end all aid to [the neocolony]. The actions also raised demands for the freedom of Palestinian political prisoners and an end to the blockade of Gaza. As [the apartheid government] pledges to wage a war of annihilation and the Palestinian people remain steadfast in their determination to resist, this movement will continue to take to the streets until Palestine is free!
Tampa, Florida
Providence, Rhode Island
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Upcoming demonstrations
Cleveland, OH
Monday, October 9
5:30 p.m.
Market Square on Lorain & W 25th
Sponsored by: Party For Socialism and Liberation - Northeast Ohio, The Palestinian Youth Movement, Al-Awda - The Palestinian Right to Return CoalitionMinneapolis, MN
Monday, October 9
6:00 p.m.
Senator Klobuchar's office @ 1200 S Washington Ave Minneapolis
Sponsored by: Anti-War CommitteeAlbany, NY
Monday, October 9
4:00 p.m.
Corner of Wolf Road and Central Ave
Sponsored by: Grannies for PeaceNew York City, NY
Monday, October 9
2:00 p.m.
Zionist embassy (800 2nd Ave.)
Sponsored by: Within Our Lifetime, Samidoun, CUNY School of Law Students for Justice in Palestine, Decolonize This Place, Existence Is Resistance, CUNY for PalestineOrmond Beach, FL
Monday, October 9
4:00 p.m.
SE corner of Granada & Beach
Sponsored by: Daytona Workers' LeagueNew Haven, CT
Monday, October 9
3:00 p.m.
New Haven City Hall (165 Church Street)
Sponsored by: Connecticut Democratic Socialists of America; Yalies for Palestine; Semilla Collective; Greater New Haven Peace Council; Wesleyan Students for Justice in Palestine; and the Party for Socialism and LiberationAlbany, NY
Tuesday, October 10
4:00 p.m.
Townsend Park
Sponsored by: Palestinian Rights Committee, ANSWER CoalitionDes Moines, IA
Tuesday, October 10
6:30 p.m.
Cowles Commons (221 Walnut Street)
Sponsored by: Party for Socialism and Liberation - IowaManchester, NH
Wednesday, October 11
7:00 p.m.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen's office (1000 Elm Street)
Sponsored by: PSL Southern NH and ANSWER Southern NHIndianapolis, IN
Thursday, October 12
5:30 p.m.
Monument Circle
Sponsored by: Students for Justice in Palestine - Butler University, ANSWER Indiana, Jewish Voice for Peace - Indiana, Party for Socialism and Liberation - Indianapolis
(From an email by the ANSWER coalition. Emphasis original.)
Did you even read the Mark Twain piece?
I was just giving you the benefit of the doubt, even when it seems like you can't get yourself to condemn straight up rape.
Rape as an act by itself is obviously morally wrong and should be condemned but it did not happen in a vacuum.
Let's flip it, Jewish people, disabled people and gays faced terrible oppression under the Nazis. Any violence they or others had done in resistance to that oppression shouldn't be condemned. I'd like to think you wouldn't argue with me on this point.
Now flip it back, Palestinians are facing a powerful fascist state that dehumanises them and seeks to eradicate them. Any violence they do in resistance to that oppression should not be condemned.
Why do you see the two differently?
I'm not seeing rape differently here. Rape is something I would immediately and without scruples or excuses condemn no matter who does it. It really is that simple. No Mark Twain quotes needed there.
My point is if you don't support oppressed peoples because you don't feel comfortable with the types of violence they are lashing out with in the face of an existential threat, then your support was superficial.
I'm not supporting rape no matter what the case, is the point. I don't think it's ever justified.
Look I'll spell it out.
Bad actions are bad.
Oppressed people doing bad actions is bad.
Supporting oppressed peoples struggle no matter what is good because the alternative is being a fascist or a fascist apologist.