Israeli police violence Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem has sparked renewed violencewhich has resulted the deaths of at least 145 people, including 39 children, in Gazaand 12 in Israel. As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggests that the assault in Gaza will continue despite international calls for peace, the United States finds itself supplying arms and aid to an ally intent on escalating a policy of apartheid and ethnic cleansing.
It’s within this context that around 1000 people gathered at the RISD Beach in Providence (210 Benefit Street) calling for an end to the violence. The event, #Save Sheikh Jarrah: No to Ethnic Cleansing, No to Israeli Land Theft called for an end to the United States support for Israel’s military and a Free Palestine. This was a significant increase in interest and activism from the last time major violence broke out in Gaza and about 125 people attended a pro-Palestine rally and vigil in Burnside Park, back in 2014.
The rally in Providence, organized by the RISD Students for Justice in Palestine, is part of a larger worldwide movement demanding justice in Palestine and an end to the violence.
Samy Amkieh, a student at Brown University and a member of the Providence Democratic Socialists of America, Reclaim Rhode Island, and the National DSA Muslim Caucus, emceed the event.
Israeli actions in Sheikh Jarrah have “sparked protests across Palestine, across the West Bank, across Palestine 48, across the world – and this unification,” said Amkieh, “is seen regularly, but it has not ben seen in the recent past, so this has been refreshing to many Palestinians, to see people rise up in support of their movements.”
Aya Ghanameh is a Palestinian illustrator, writer, and designer in her senior year at the Rhode Island School of Design. She is also the founder and president of RISD Students for Justice in Palestine and part of the RISD anti-racist coalition.
Andira Ture, organizer with the Party for Socialism and Liberation:
Malika, core member of RISD’s Students for justice in Palestine:
Joel Reinstein is a labor organizer and a member of the Providence Democratic Socialists:
Nimr Eid is a Muslim chaplain at Zumratal al-Janat mosque Ramallah:
Yousef Nagib says he is not an organizer and has never spoken at a protest before. He’s just a local student who couldn’t stay down anymore:
Issra el-noubany is aPalestinian from Atarah outside of Ramallah:
Moayad, a student at Roger Williams University, recited the opening verse from the Koran, as is traditional when someone passes away:
Rhode Island State Senator Samuel Bell (Democrat, District 5, Providence):
Lilah is an organizer from Brown University’s Students for justice in Palestine:
After the speeches, the rally marched from RISD Beach to the headquarters of Textron in downtown Providence. Textron is one of many American weapons companies that profit by supplying arms to Israel.
Tal Frieden explained Textron’s role in perpetuating the violence:
Matil, an organizer with Students for justice in Palestine brought more information about Textron:
Samy Amkieh:
The rally then marched from Textron the the Providence offices of United States Senator Jack Reed (Democrat, Rhode Island). Senator Reed chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Samy Amkieh read a statement from RAM Inc (Resist and Abolish the Military Industrial Complex) who on Friday morning confronted Senator Reed about Israel.
See: RAM Inc activists confront Senator Reed on Israel
The rally then marched from Senator Reed’s office to Brown University:
Samy Amkieh:
Em is a trans-nonbinary student. They organize with Brown Students for Justice in Palestine:
Wrapping up:
See also:
- Brittany Palumbo and Joel Reinstein: It’s time to talk about the Palestinian Nakba in RI
- Providence Leftist Radio Podcast: Small state – Big impact – Israel and the Ocean State
- From Providence to Palestine a Rally for Sheikh Jarrah
- RI Muslim community holds vigil for Palestine
- Selene Means: Photos from the Free Palestine rally in Providence
- Rhode Island for Palestine coalition rallies to "end US funding to Israeli Apartheid"
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