Rally for Gaza Humanitarians Turns to Celebration
Primary tabs
What was to be a protest and demonstration in front of Rep. Louise Slaughter's office in Rochester's Federal Building turned into a celebration of sorts. At 5:15 pm a text message was received from the Viva Palestina convoy in Egypt announcing that they had finally been allowed entry into Gaza after ten days of bureaucratic delays. Egyptian authorities would not allow the humanitarian workers entry until after nightfall. Two members of the delegation are from Rochester, Brian Lenzo and Ream Kidane. Other members of the convoy include British Member of Parliament George Galloway, who is best known for exposing the lies of George W Bush and Tony Blair which led to the Iraq war.
Viva Palestina intended to deliver a million dollars worth of supplies. The convoy consisted of two ambulances and 11 truckloads of medicine for the besieged territory the size of Manhattan Island. Several pickup trucks and cars had to be left behind in Alexandria, Egypt. Paper, certain types of plastic including medical supplies, auto parts, and chocolate were also not allowed across.
The aid workers were delayed for days by Egyptian authorities despite supposedly having the permission of of the US, UK and Egyptian governments. Egyptian secret service agents infiltrated their buses. They were held in their hotel by armed guards. A group of 100 demonstrators surrounded their buses as they were stopped on the Mubarak Peace Bridge to prevent them from being driven or towed away. Demonstrations by more than three people are illegal in Egypt and they could have been arrested or shot.
This would not have happened without the Internet. Reports of the plight of these workers sparked protests at Egyptian consulates around the US and the world, and the Egyptian government finally gave in to international pressure. All is not yet well however. The delegation was told that they must leave Gaza within 24 hours or risk being held captive there until the gate is opened again. That could be as much as a month away. Another delegation is set to go in December. Let us hope that by then this siege will be over and the people of Gaza will be free.
For more information and personal blog accounts
http://vivapalestina-us.org/
http://www.thesitch.com
