Portland holds second protest demanding justice in Gaza

Around 200 people braved the cold and sleet  on Friday afternoon in Portland to voice their opposition to the Israeli attacks in Gaza, and to call on Senator Ron Wyden to change his position on the issue from unquestioning support for Israel to a position that supports equal rights for the Palestinian people.

Many held hand-stenciled signs reading “Gaza Genocide: Made in USA”, and “Free Palestine”.  The group made their way around the downtown Portland park in front of the Federal Building, chanting “Free Free Palestine” and “Occupation is a crime”.  Motorists passing in front of the protest honking and cheering, and pedestrians on the street also voiced their support.

Representatives from No More Victims Portland, the Portland Peaceful Response Coalition and the Pacific Green Party, among others, spoke to the crowd to rally support for the people of Gaza.  Several of the speakers said, “We want the people of Gaza to know that we are with you, we stand in solidarity with you, against the ongoing Israeli crimes”.

The Pacific Green Party representative talked about Cynthia McKinney, the party's Presidential candidate in last November's election, who was on a humanitarian aid boat to Gaza that tried to break the siege two days ago, but was rammed by an Israeli naval vessel and nearly sunk.  He read a statement from McKinney in which she called on all current Congressional representatives to cease all funding to the Israeli state.

IMEMC’s Saed Bannoura, who was shot and paralyzed by the Israeli army in 1991, also spoke at the rally, condemned the ongoing Israeli offensive against the residents in the Gaza Strip, and called for rejecting the US policies and its blindfolded military and financial support to Israel.

Those who participated in Friday's rally called for continued, ongoing and relentless pressure on Senator Ron Wyden, to push him to change his stance on Israel-Palestine. 

They also called for a boycott campaign of local businesses which sell products imported from Israel, until they discontinue these products, or until Israel complies with human rights law – whichever comes first.

The protest in Portland was just one of dozens held worldwide, in ongoing pressure campaigns against local politicians and business leaders, to end their unconditional ties with Israel.