Candle light Vigil and March Planned in Support of the Gaza Freedom March

On December 31, 2009, more than 1,000 citizens from across the world will join with an estimated 50,000 Palestinians in a peaceful march to the Erez border crossing into Israel. This historic non-violent action has been organized by The International Coalition to End the Illegal Siege of Gaza.

Its objective is to draw international attention to the siege and blockade of Gaza which are illegal under international law. The Bay Area Gaza Freedom March Committee will support the march by holding a memorial service and candle light vigil at Union Square on December 27 4:00pm-6:00pm.  On December 31 we will end the year with a noon time march across the Golden Gate Bridge, in solidarity with those marching with Palestinian people of Gaza to breach the illegal blockade.

Dec. 27 will mark one year since the Israeli attack and invasion of the Gaza Strip. Although the Israeli tanks have left, the complete closure of the borders continues. According to the United Nations, the most recent invasion left 1,400 Palestinian civilians dead, thousands injured and hundreds of thousands homeless, many of whom still live in tents. Many more are living in the ruins of their houses or with relatives. It is now one year later, and no progress has been made. In fact the situation is more dire than ever. Hospitals lack many medicines and supplies to provide even routine medical care. Building materials so desperately needed after the last winter’s invasion by Israel are not permitted into Gaza.

The Gaza Strip has been subject to Israeli control since the end of the Six-Day War in 1967. Although all the settlements were vacated and the Israeli Defense Forces withdrew from Gaza in 2005, Gaza’s borders remained tightly controlled by the Israeli government and subject to regular attacks. Since 2007, Israel, with the help of Egypt and support by the United States, closed all the border crossings into Gaza, effectively cutting off access to the basic goods and services which can only be obtained from Israel, and preventing movement of people.

Israel’s blockade of Gaza is a flagrant violation of international law that has led to mass suffering. The U.S., the European Union, and the rest of the international community are complicit. The law is clear. The conscience of humankind is shocked. Yet, the siege of Gaza continues.

The Gaza Freedom March, Bay Area Committee will stand in solidarity with the people of Gaza and the International Coalition to End the Illegal Siege of Gaza. It is vital that this act of non violent resistance be told around the entire world. It is time that the people of the United States understand our government’s role in promoting Israel’s violations of the international humanitarian laws.