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An unappetizing greeting for supporters of the state of Israel at local annual dinner
An estimated 90 protesters dressed in black and holding Palestinian and American flags greeted attendees of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) annual fundraising dinner at the parking lot entrance to the Mittleman Jewish Community Center on Sunday afternoon, March 29.
The protesters lined side walks on both sides of Capitol Highway and generated honks of support and thumbs up from passengers in cars passing by as well as at least one heated verbal exchange with an AIPAC supporter walking by.
The protesters represented a variety of Portland organizations committed to fighting for Palestinian human rights and protesting the Israeli occupation of Palestine.
The groups were also protesting the death of civilians in the recent Israeli incursion into Gaza and US support for the Israeli occupation and military. Signs  held by protesters included: “Heal the World?” “Congress for Sale Here,” “End the Occupation,” “Stop Israeli Occupation and Apartheid.”
One organizer, Peter Miller of the Portland-based Americans United for Palestinian Human Rights (AUPHR), estimated that fewer public officials and politicians seemed to come in through the front parking lot than in years past. He reported that there   were unofficial reports that Oregon Governor Kulongaski and Attorney General John Kroger were seen being whisked in through side entrances, away from
protesters and the cameras that some protesters wielded.
“Oregon Politicians have an abysmal record on support for Palestinian equal rights. Israel’s recent attack on Gaza killing over 1,400 Palestinians, including 900 civilians, and its continued theft of Palestinian land for Jewish-Israeli settlements in the West Bank
should make our elected leaders and Israel supporters wake up,” said Miller. “They need to look at what Israel is doing, not what it is saying. It’s time for accountability and change. That’s why we’re here.”
The action was spearheaded by AUPHR but had support from the Pacific Green Party of Oregon, Lutherans for Justice in the Holy Land, Students United for Palestine, Veterans for Peace, and the Coalition to End Israeli Apartheid among others.
More information can be obtained from www.auphr.org and www.endisraeliapartheid.org.
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photos courtesy of Emilie Moreau
Demonstrators protest at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center (top left) in SW Portland during a rally against the occupation of Palestine by Israeli forces on Sunday, March 29. Many voiced concern over the $7 million a day the United States was giving in aid to Israel (top right). Joe Walsh, known as the Lone Vet, crossed the driveway of the Mittleman Center w/ an oxygen tank, after police had warned demonstrators against doing so. He was arrested and taken downtown. His tank can be seen in the center right photo.
A video of the arrest can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXKrVMLl8o0&feature=channel_page |
—Emilie Moreau
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