Local anti - war activists welcomed back upon return from Gaza

Local anti – war activists from Rochester Against War and members of the International Socialist Organization Brian Lenzo and Ream Kidane return home tonight after their two week long trip to Gaza with the Viva Palestina –US convoy. Fellow activists and community members will be there to greet them as they arrive at the Rochester International Airport tonight. <!--break--> <img class="dada-image-center" src="http://rochester.indymedia.org/sites/default/files/migrate_dada/6773_590059499115_24412948_34602208_7913132_n.jpg"><br>Rochester, New York, July 20, 2009, 10:45pm – Not deterred by the Egyptian Authorities’ repressive police measures, the Viva Palestina – US convoy returns home after successfully delivering medical aid to Gaza. Brian Lenzo and Ream Kidane, two prominent figures in the local anti – war community, return tonight to their friends, families and allies. On July 16th, despite a 24 hour restriction, the convoy delivered much needed supplies, including: ambulances, medicine, and paper to the people of Gaza. This was the first Viva Palestina Humanitarian Aid Convoy to leave from the United States. George Galloway and volunteers organized the first convoy, which left from the United Kingdom on February 14, 2009. Both the UK and the US convoys have experienced restrictions and delays once they arrived at the Rafah Crossing en route to Gaza. Plans are already underway for a second US Convoy. The United States’ convoy included over 200 volunteers, each of whom had to raise $2,500 to pay for their travel and their share of the supplies. Each member brought with them two 70 pound bags of desperately needed items. Much of the aid was left behind in Egypt due to the limitations placed on the convoy by authorities. The people of Gaza are denied access to basic necessities; the siege on Palestine is a gross injustice that can not be ignored. “It’s disgusting that the Egyptian government would delay desperately needed medical supplies to Gaza,” remarked Brian Lenzo. But he continues, “My anger about this has been replaced with tremendous joy to watch families embrace for the first time in years, mothers hugging their sons, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, grandparents and grand children.” Organizers encourage all who can to come tonight at 10:45pm to give a warm welcome to two Rochesterians, who have experienced so much and can share their first hand experience of the struggle of Palestinians. The reception will gather at the entrance to Gate A. Tonight will be the first opportunity of many to hear them as they begin a speaking tour in the next couple of weeks.

<p>Local anti – war activists from Rochester Against War and members of the International Socialist Organization Brian Lenzo and Ream Kidane return home tonight after their two week long trip to Gaza with the Viva Palestina –US convoy. Fellow activists and community members will be there to greet them as they arrive at the Rochester International Airport tonight.</p> <!--break--><p><img class="dada-image-center" src="http://rochester.indymedia.org/sites/default/files/migrate_dada/6773_590059499115_24412948_34602208_7913132_n.jpg" /><br />Rochester, New York, July 20, 2009, 10:45pm – Not deterred by the Egyptian Authorities’ repressive police measures, the Viva Palestina – US convoy returns home after successfully delivering medical aid to Gaza. Brian Lenzo and Ream Kidane, two prominent figures in the local anti – war community, return tonight to their friends, families and allies. On July 16th, despite a 24 hour restriction, the convoy delivered much needed supplies, including: ambulances, medicine, and paper to the people of Gaza.</p> <p>This was the first Viva Palestina Humanitarian Aid Convoy to leave from the United States. George Galloway and volunteers organized the first convoy, which left from the United Kingdom on February 14, 2009. Both the UK and the US convoys have experienced restrictions and delays once they arrived at the Rafah Crossing en route to Gaza. Plans are already underway for a second US Convoy.</p> <p>The United States’ convoy included over 200 volunteers, each of whom had to raise $2,500 to pay for their travel and their share of the supplies. Each member brought with them two 70 pound bags of desperately needed items. Much of the aid was left behind in Egypt due to the limitations placed on the convoy by authorities. The people of Gaza are denied access to basic necessities; the siege on Palestine is a gross injustice that can not be ignored.</p> <p>“It’s disgusting that the Egyptian government would delay desperately needed medical supplies to Gaza,” remarked Brian Lenzo. But he continues, “My anger about this has been replaced with tremendous joy to watch families embrace for the first time in years, mothers hugging their sons, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, grandparents and grand children.”</p> <p>Organizers encourage all who can to come tonight at 10:45pm to give a warm welcome to two Rochesterians, who have experienced so much and can share their first hand experience of the struggle of Palestinians. The reception will gather at the entrance to Gate A. Tonight will be the first opportunity of many to hear them as they begin a speaking tour in the next couple of weeks.</p>

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