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Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Pro-Gaza Protests At Robert T. Matsui Courthouse
by Raoul Kleven, published on January 9, 2009 at 11:55 AM
Storyline: Sacramento News
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Approximately 100 Protesters chanting "Free Free Palestine" and holding large Palestinian, American, and UN flags assembled outside the Robert Matsui courthouse on the corner of 5th and I Streets yesterday, in the latest of a series of gatherings to protest the ongoing Israeli incursion into the Gaza Strip.
Protesters said they were there to raise awareness of the aggressive actions of Israel, and the US policy of support for Israel in the form of arms shipments. Naseer Abboushi, of the Palestinian - American Congress, said "We want a diplomatic solution to end the fighting and get a long- term solution. We believe that this can be achieved diplomatically."
Not all protesters were Palestinian or Muslim. Kimberly Wenz, who described herself as "a true Christian American," said that the situation in Gaza was "unacceptable," that "true Israelis care about Palestine," and pointed out the large disparity between the modern military of Israel and the "starving and homeless" population of Palestine. She was accompanied by James Gregory, a Native American who said he saw many similarities between the history of Palestine and that of the American Indians.
Other protesters, when asked, said that the protest was organized by word of mouth, and many of the protesters did seem to know each other. About half of those present looked to be under the age of 18 (much like the population of the Gaza strip, incidentally), and several were wearing sweatshirts from Al Arqam College Prep, a South Sacramento Islamic private school.
One man, who declined to be named, compared the situation in Gaza to that of the Jewish ghettoes in Poland during the Second World War.
Did any readers see the protest? Was anyone involved? What do you think about these demonstrations?
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Speaking personally, I think it's ridiculous to talk of nations having rights. Nations do what they want, to the extent that they have the power to do it. The Israelis have had enough power to conquer and expel the natives from the regions they've chosen to settle. The Palestinians have had the power to blow themselves up in cafes and on buses, and to launch shoddily made rockets at Israel.
I think what often fails to be recognized is the fact that most all of the Palestinian people suffering in this conflict are people like you and I; just trying to work, pay bills and buy groceries for their families while the powerful on both sides of the border play out their own agendas, violent or otherwise. The same can be said for innocent Israelis.
Remember what history has taught: the average, every-day people are always the ones who suffer the most on any side of any conflict, and are the ones who most desire peace!
I want to flag this as a gross generality that hides the truism that any oppressed group has a percentage of psychotics. The US of A has its own percent of individuals willing to take many innocent bystanders with them as they check out from reality. When you generalize by starting a sentence with "the palestinians" realize you are speaking for all of this subgroup of mankind. You will be taken seriously when you dont generalize
The use of overwhelming force which further increases the suffering of the civilians is the great tragedy. As Jon Stewart pointed out on the Daily Show, the blind support of Israel by our politicians is disgraceful and will further encourage extremism since it clearly shows that the USA is not a partial mediator in this conflict.
Also lets remember our tax dollars are going to fund the Israeli army and the bombs they drop on the civilians, this is not acceptable.
-Naseer
Some mother-in-laws with the gift of gab have been known to be a third party in domestic squabbles. Please note this is an example only but you get the idea.
Hating the Isrealis or the Palestinians will get us no better result or resolution of conflict.