On July 29, 200 people gathered at the Torch of Friendship on Biscayne Blvd. in downtown Miami to protest the U.S.-Israeli attacks on Lebanon and Palestine. As the crowd chanted “Stop the bombing,” and displayed placards reading “Save Lebanon” and “Stop the US-Israeli Assault,” the spirited protest drew the intrigue of many tourists and passersby visiting busy Bayside Pavilion.
Participants proudly held Lebanese and Palestinian flags. Many of the protesters were Arab Americans originally from Lebanon. There was a strong multinational representation of students from local universities and colleges.
Samer Abdulaziz, the protest organizer said, “Innocent children’s bodies are scattered out in the streets. Their stomachs are bulging out of their bodies. People are seeing their homes being demolished and their parents are lying dead in front of them. Schools are being leveled to the ground.
“There is not any electricity, food, or water. Aid workers cannot reach the affected people. We need a cease fire right now. Israel must get out of the land they are currently occupying and Israel must also withdraw from Shebaa Farms occupied since 1982. At that time, Israeli soldiers can be exchanged for Lebanese prisoners,” Abdulaziz continued.
“This is a criminal occupation,” said John Peter Daly from the ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism); as he went on to explain the Israeli tactics of collective punishment against both the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples. “More than 80 per cent of the targets have been civilian targets,” noted Daly.
Daly linked the war to the worsening condition of U.S. workers, citing another protest taking place across town in the African American community against the South Florida housing crisis. “Billions have been sent to Israel—to repress the Palestinian people and destroy the infrastructure of Lebanon. We say cut U.S. aid to Israel—use the money for housing here!”
“If the U.S. wants to stop terrorism they can start right here in Miami and arrest the right-wing Cuban paramilitary groups, and also free the Cuban Five who are imprisoned for fighting to stop terrorism,” said Mike Martinez from the Bolivarian Youth as he addressed the crowd.
Ahmed Sachedina from the United Muslim Foundation commented that the spirit of the protest had a “true sense of justice transcending race, religion and national origin.”
Other speakers included representatives from the Arab American Institute, Paul LeFrak from Broward Anti-War Coalition and Dr. Moiez Tapia from the University of Miami.
Many of the organizers and participants pledge to mobilize for the statewide march and rally in Orlando on Aug. 12 to stop the criminal occupation and war against Lebanon and Palestine.
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