Global Protests In Support of the Freedom Flotilla Continue

In the days following the Israel Defense Forces raid on the Mavi Marmara that left nine dead and numerous others wounded, the world has seen an outpouring of support for Gaza. Several countries, including Turkey, Ecuador, and South Africa, have recalled their ambassadors to Israel, while still others have called for investigations of the events by a neutral party. Nicaragua went a step further, cutting off diplomatic ties with Israel. At the same time, demonstrations have been taking place around the globe. From Stockholm to São Paulo, activists and concerned citizens have taken to the streets to protest the violence and Israel’s continuing blockade of Gaza. In nearby Beirut, protesters were seen carrying Turkish flags in support of the Mavi Marmara. Protestors in Beirut carried Turkish flags in support of the Mavi Marmara. Photo by Mokhtar Joundi. Halfway around the world in Boston, American protestors gathered outside of the Israeli consulate, waving Palestinian flags and calling on President Obama to denounce Israel’s actions. Bostonians gathered outside the Israeli consulate. Photo by Anas Qtiesh. Protesters in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia held an enormous Palestinian flag to show solidarity with Gaza. Bulgarian protestors with an enormous Palestinian flag. Photo by Ruslan Trad. New York City protesters filled bustling Times Square with Palestinian flags and signs of support. NYC protesters carrying a sign that reads: “Israel kills civilians in self-defense.” Photo by asterix611. In London, rapper and poet Lowkey was at the lead of one demonstration, chanting “we are sick of it!” with other demonstrators. One blogger, Have a Good Time, writes of Lowkey’s appearance: Lowkey starts by reminding his British audience of their complicity in the Israeli attack on the Flotilla and the Israeli siege on Gaza. “We were there through our taxes: our taxes were in the bullets that were fired into our friends and our brothers and our sisters…our taxes were there, our Balfour Declaration was there.” But Lowkey transitions from this depressing reminder of complicity to a vision of solidarity. “When they drop white phosphorous bombs on Gaza, they drop white phosphorous bombs on us…we must express our solidarity with those people, because they are us.” We are not only the Freedom Flotilla: we are Gaza. In addition to knowing that we cause harm to befall Gaza, we also feel that harm as if it affects us. ((03 JUN 2010))

http://globalvoicesonline.org/2010/06/03/global-protests-in-support-of-the-freedom-flotilla-continue/

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