Five thousand people marched in New York City on March 30 to protest the U.S./Zionist genocide against the Palestinian people. Along with protesters all over the world, they were commemorating Palestine Land Day.
In 1976, the Zionist apartheid regime announced plans to steal nearly eight square miles of Palestinian land in the Galilee region. A general strike was declared on March 30, 1976, to stop this land theft.
Tens of thousands protested all over occupied Palestine. At least six Palestinians were killed, many more were injured, and hundreds were arrested. Since that time 49 years ago, Palestinians and their supporters have marked Land Day by protesting the Zionist occupation of their homeland.
In New York City this year, the Shut It Down 4 Palestine Coalition called for people to gather in Manhattan’s Union Square. Among the organizations building the action were the Palestinian Youth Movement; PAL-AWDA, the Palestine Right to Return Coalition; Neturei Karta (anti-Zionist Orthodox Jews); the Party for Socialism and Liberation; and The People’s Forum.
Among the speakers were Taher Dahleh from the Palestinian Youth Movement; Layan Fuleihan from The People’s Forum; Claudia De La Cruz, the PSL presidential candidate last year; and Bill Dores representing PAL-AWDA.
Dores said, “It is to keep the wealth of the world pouring into the coffers of the 1% here” that the U.S. finances and supplies the Zionist war machine. “They are looting our communities here to pay for their bombs, while Elon Musk is shutting down hospitals,” he said.
Dores pointed out that while the U.S. bombed a cancer hospital in Yemen, Netanyahu bombed the last remaining cancer hospital in Gaza.
People marched out of Union Square and into the street, going uptown. “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!,” and other chants echoed against skyscrapers.
Supporters of Nodutdol for Korean Community Development carried a banner saying, “Korea for Palestine.” An even longer banner read “Staten Island 4 Palestine.”
People showed their support along the side of the march. Drivers honked their horns in support.
The march ended with a brief rally in Times Square. People were reminded of the massive march planned for Washington, D.C., on April 5.
Land back from South Dakota’s Black Hills to Palestine!
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