Rally held in LA against Israeli offensive in Gaza
Updated: 2012-11-21 16:18
(Xinhua)
|
|||||||||||
LOS ANGELES - A rally was held Tuesday afternoon to protest Israel's offensive in Gaza, with calls for ending all US aid to Israel.
Lots of police cars were gathered at Los Angeles' Westwood Federal Building where the rally was held, but police officer Bruce Borihanh of the Los Angeles Police Department told the press there have been no arrests till 7 pm local time (0300 GMT Wednesday).
Demonstrators participate in a protest in support of Palestinians and against the Israeli military action in Gaza, across the street from the Israeli consulate in New York, Nov 20, 2012. [Photo/Agencies] |
The rally was initiated by the ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War & End Racism) and co-sponsored by some other student and community organizations including Students for Justice in Palestine -- University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA), Students for Justice in Palestine -- University of Southern California (USC), Palestinian American Women's Association, and Veterans For Peace.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health run by Hamas, 130 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli air raids on the Gaza Strip since last Wednesday, with more than 1,000 others wounded. Meanwhile, Israel reported that five Israelis have been killed in Palestinian rocket attacks.
Mike Prysner from the ANSWER Coalition said hundreds of demonstrators gathered at the federal building to demand an immediate stop of military attacks against Palestinians.
"All US aid to Israel should be ended once and for all. The people of the United States stand against the government that speaks in our name and sends $3 billion of our tax dollars every year so that Israel can kill and colonize the people of Palestine," the coalition said in a statement.
"The fact that the Obama administration was briefed on Monday prior to the attack shows that these latest crimes are a joint US-Israeli operation. The Pentagon immediately announced after the first wave of murderous assaults today that Israel was its 'partner.' Israel may be a partner of US as it acts as an extension of Pentagon and CIA power in the Middle East," the statement said.
"But it is absolutely not the partner of the people of this country who are horrified by its policy of endless war against the Palestinian people and all the peoples of the region," the statement said.
Tuesday's rally came after some 1,400 demonstrators rallied in Los Angeles to voice their support for Israel while about 250 demonstrators rallied against the Jewish state.
Demonstrations by both Palestinian supporters and pro-Israeli groups have been staged in other US cities like New York, Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, Denver and Seattle, according to press reports.
Related Stories
Algeria to send humanitarian aid to Gaza 2012-11-21 11:24
UN Security Council to meet on Gaza 2012-11-21 10:24
Gaza death toll climbs to 130 2012-11-21 09:17
Clinton meets Netanyahu, seeking Gaza truce 2012-11-21 07:35
Attacks pound Gaza amid truce pressure 2012-11-20 17:30
Children in Gaza crisis 2012-11-20 17:19
Today's Top News
President Xi confident in recovery from quake
H7N9 update: 104 cases, 21 deaths
Telecom workers restore links
Coal mine blast kills 18 in Jilin
Intl scholarship puts China on the map
More bird flu patients discharged
Gold loses sheen, but still a safe bet
US 'turns blind eye to human rights'
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
All-out efforts to save lives |
Liaoning: China's oceangoing giant |
Poultry industry under pressure |
'Spring' in the air for NGOs? |
Boy set to drive Chinese golf |
Latest technology gets people talking |