Protests in Syracuse, NY over fighting in Gaza

December 30, 2008 -- Israel strikes out at Gaza. The death toll nears 400. More rockets are fired from Gaza into Israel. Diplomatic efforts to end the fighting gain little ground. There is no truce.

Protesters gather at places like Syracuse's federal building, insisting the latest conflict end.

There are people being killed. Innocent civilians being killed. And that has to stop. We have to do. That cannot continue. It's a humanitarian thing. They have to have their rights. And there is a humanitarian crisis going on, said protester Mohamed Khater.

The scene has a familiar look to it. Again and again over the past decades, when military action is launched by the U.S. or its allies, many from a group called the Syracuse Peace Council have taken to the streets. Ed Kinane has been there since the 70s.

It's very important that U.S. people of conscience be on the streets, be public and express their outrage at what has happened, said Kinane.

Andy Mager first joined the council more than 25 years ago.

Our government is enabling these actions through our diplomatic, military and economic support of Israel, Mager said.

These long time protesters continue to rail against U.S. actions, despite the fact many of the policies they oppose continue, despite their efforts.

There is some new hope, based on the fact that the United States is about to have a new President. But there are still concerns over what the future holds under Barack Obama.

The new President will be given the benefit of the doubt, unless, and until, his policies move in a direction the activists don't like. Then, they say, they'll be back on the streets.

If you're not on the streets, if you're not trying to create a buzz, then that is taken as a sign, by the power structure, that no one cares. And I think that emboldens them, Kinane said. We don't want to embolden them anymore than they are.

Certainly there are times it's discouraging, but I have a five-year-old son and I think of what kind of world we're creating for him. I want him to see a world at peace, said Mager.

The ANSWER Coalition, Muslim American Society Freedom, Free Palestine Alliance, National Council of Arab Americans, and Al-Awda, International Palestine Right to Return Coalition called for Tuesday, December 30 to be a National Day of Action to show solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza and to demand an immediate end to the murderous attacks carried out by the Israeli military against the people of Gaza.


In Washington, D.C., there was a demonstration at the State Department. Demonstrations were also held in cities around the country. Check www.answercoalition.org for more info.

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