CHICAGO—(ENEWSPF)—August 9, 2014. On a day when President Barack Obama said that when the United States has the “unique capability to help avert a massacre,” of minorities in Iraq, we cannot “turn a blind eye,” the Chicago Coalition for Justice in Palestine condemns Mr. Obama’s blatant hypocrisy and calls on the US government to end all diplomatic, political and financial support of Israel.
Israel has been targeting civilians in Gaza since July 8 in a military onslaught the United Nations has warned may amount to war crimes. Israel has killed nearly 2,000 people, including more than 370 children, and wounded more than 9,000. Several Latin and South American countries have cut ties with Israel and a member of the British Cabinet resigned in protest over the UK’s stance on the massacre in Gaza. The Chicago Coalition says it is time for the United States to end its complicity in the death and destruction of the Palestinian people!
A press conference will be held on Sunday, August 10 at the southeast corner of Michigan and Congress in Chicago beginning at 2:15 p.m. Speakers will include lay representatives of several Latin American countries as well as interfaith peace activists.
The Rally will begin at 2:30 p.m. and will be followed by a march to Federal Plaza.
The Chicago Coalition also encourages people to remember that even if a truce is reached and Israel’s attacks against Palestinians ends, the occupation and siege on Gaza are still in full force. The Coalition demands an immediate end to Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian people and an end to the siege on Gaza. Both contravene international law and deprive Palestinians of their human rights.
Sunday’s protest is being convened by the Coalition for Justice in Palestine, whose members include American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), Chicago Islamic Center, Islamic Community Center of Illinois, Mosque Foundation, Palestinian American Community Center, Palestinian American Council, Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP)-Chicago, and United States Palestinian Community Network (USPCN). Groups, including ANSWER Coalition, the Anti-War Committee-Chicago, the Arab Jewish Partnership for Peace and Justice in the Middle East, Jews for Justice in Palestine, Jewish Voice for Peace, and the Palestine Solidarity Group, are supporting the rally.
