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News :: International : War and Militarism |
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Protest at AIPAC event, Boston |
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by alan meyers
Email: afmeyers (nospam) bu.edu (unverified!)
Phone: 617-492-0520 |
06 May 2008
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On Sunday 4 May 2008, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee held its annual "New England Leadership Dinner" at the Westin Copley Hotel. About 75 people turned out to protest, an event sponsored by Jewish Voice for Peace-Boston, Jewish Women for Justice in Israel/Palestine, the Boston Coalition for Palestinian Rights, and United for Justice with Peace's Israel/Palestine Task Force. |
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We took up position along Huntington Avenue, effectively lining the route where the attendees were stopped in their cars awaiting entry into the hotel garage. They had to look at us for uncomfortably long periods of time - some engaged us in (usually) hostile discussion; one woman started crying and asked the police how we could be allowed to be there (answer: it was legal, and the police were quite tolerant of our presence). The organizers contacted all local newspaper, TV, and radio outlets but - surprise! - not a single reporter or photographer showed up. Makes ya wonder, doesn't it. For added excitement, check out the video clip of the David Project's Hillel Stavis threatening violence at http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2437970905837175063&hl=en |
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See also:
http://www.jvp.org
http://www.bcpr.net
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This work is in the public domain. |
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another photo from anti-aipac demo (sigh photo taken today) |
by Anonymous
(No verified email address) |
10 May 2008
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Click on image for a larger version
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Not shown in the article: my anti-colonization sign (I arrived around 6pm). I stood in the JVP block of the demo about half the time. They did not ask me to leave, although one person suggested "imperialism" would be a better choice of words.
There were quite a few chants, such as "Occupation is a crime/ From Iraq to Palestine" from the JVP group on the Copley side, and "From the river to the sea/ Palestine will be free" from the smaller group with Palestinian flags near the hotel garage entrance.
The AIPAC guests could not enter the hotel without noticing the demonstration (or the two side-by-side demonstrations).
Speaking of editorial suggestions, I couldn't help carping on some wording in the JVP/UJP signs. No offense intended.
"60 years of Occupation is Nothing to Celebrate" might be better as "60 years of Colonization is Nothing to Celebrate"; and so on.
Israeli Apartheid Must End might be better as Israeli Colonization Must End. (i.e. the land theft is active and ongoing)
Say No to Israeli Apartheid might be better as Say No to Israel
(What, we can't say NO to Israel? There's a JVP related site that mentions divestment)
In short, I'm trying to get the word Colonization circulated (i.e. relentless multi-generational land theft and settlement based on power derived from European roots)
Sorry, my comment is anonymous for practical reasons. |
