"An amazing and inspiring protest was held today in support of the Free Gaza flotilla.  Almost 200 people joined in a march from the New York Daily News Building to Times Square to demand Israel keep its hands off humanitarian aid to Gaza.  It was a highly visible and highly effective effort.   You can see some great photos by clicking here.   It's truly extraordinary that so many people were moved to participate on so little notice.  Thanks are due to all the organizers (people from Adalah NY, Al Awda, ART, Brooklyn for Peace, CNRI, Gaza Freedom March, Jews Say No, Jewish Voices for Peace, Middle East Crisis Response, Wespac, Women in Black Union Square) and to all who forwarded the email call to their friends and lists"

"Thousands of New Yorkers gathered in Times Square to protest the murder of human rights activist by Israel. These activists were on six ships called the Freedom Flotilla delivering medical aid, food and other supplies to Gaza when they were brutally attacked by Israeli soldiers. There are reports of up to 19 people dead. They were part of the international led effort to break the siege on Gaza, Palestine. Video by existenceisresistance.org"

Israeli Navy attacks Free Gaza Flotilla. 2 killed. at least 30 injured.

Emergency Protest at Times Square. Please be there!!!!!

Emergency Rally Monday, May 31, 3 pm, 47th Street & 7th Avenue
Follow-up Rally Tuesday, June 1 , 5pm, 42nd Street & 2nd Avenue

The Free Gaza flotilla of eight ships is underway, with the boats from northern Europe heading into the Mediterranean to join up with the boats from Turkey and Greece. Amazing things are happening!  "... A 2000 ton cargo ship and fifty-person passenger ship owned by the European Campaign Against the Siege of Gaza, and Swedish/Greek Ship to Gaza campaigns left Athens to meet the Freedom Flotilla in international waters.

They follow hot on the trail of the cargo ships of Insani Yardim Vakafi (IHH’s) and Free Gaza’s MV Rachel Corrie. IHH’s remaining 1100 capacity passenger ship and cargo ship are to sail shortly from Turkey.

In Crete, the Free Gaza Movement is readying its two passenger boats for their imminent departure. ‘Al Samoud’ (The Steadfast’) and ‘Al Haya’ (The Ship of Life) were named by children from schools in occupied Gaza and Jerusalem... "  (From Free Gaza's latest press release.  Click here for more)

Israel has vowed to stop the ships "at any price" according to an Israeli security spokesperson.  Israel has reportedly constructed a special prison camp to hold flotilla passengers.  Meanwhile, the Turkish Prime Minister has warned Israel to keep its hands off the boats.  

This will come to a head as soon as this weekend.  The Free Gaza flotilla needs our support.  News of the flotilla and Israel's threats has been -- surprise -- blacked out by US media.  You can read about it or hear about it in The Jerusalem Post, Ha'aretz, Al-Jazeera, The Guardian, BBC, AFP, etc. etc. but NOT in the US.  Guess it looks bad for Israel to use American military aid to attack unarmed civilians, including Americans.  

We need to break the story, and hold our own government accountable for what Israel is doing with US support and military aid. We need your support and presence. 

COME THURSDAY, MAY 27  5 PM-7:30 PM TO DEMONSTRATE YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE FREE GAZA FLOTILLA.  TELL THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT HANDS OFF HUMANITARIAN AID TO GAZA. 

Meet at 5 pm on 42nd Street and 2nd Avenue.  We will have a moving procession to the Israeli Consulate, The Daily News, and The New York Times.  The procession will end at The New York Times at 41st Street and 8th Avenue.  

The organizers of the demonstration -- at this point a coalition of people from Adalah NY, Al Awda, ART, Brooklyn for Peace, Gaza Freedom March, Jews Say No, Middle East Crisis Response, Wespac, Women in Black Union Square -- will have signs and leaflets.  If you bring your own signs, please focus on the Free Gaza flotilla and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. 

Contact Felice Gelman for more information at this email or 917-912-2597

Further information on Free Gaza flotilla and Emergency Response plans:  

http://gazafreedommarch.org/cms/en/flotilla.aspx (Emergency Response Plan and more including email government officials and Israeli embassies worldwide)

http://witnessgaza.com/ (Real time progress of the flotilla)

http://www.freegaza.org/ (Free Gaza website)