CAIR-Connecticut to Join ‘Palestinian Lives Matter’ Rally Today in Stamford
Rally participants will ask Rep. Jim Himes to support HR 2590 – the Palestinian Children and Family Act
(HARTFORD, CT 5/19/2021) — Later today (6:30 P.M.), the Connecticut chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations will join a rally in support of the Palestinian people in Stamford Conn.
SEE: Protests of Biden’s visit will highlight Israeli-Palestinian conflict, military spending
Rally participants will assemble at the Mill River Playground on West Main Street at 6:30 pm and march to the office of Congressman Jim Himes at the Stamford Government Center located at 888 Washington Boulevard.
The “Palestinian Lives Matter” rally is being organized jointly by CAIR-CT, the Bridgeport Islamic Cultural Center (BICC) and the ICCNY Islamic Center Masjid of Stamford to protest Israel’s bombing Gaza, which has killed more than 200 people including at least 68 children.
“We are calling on our friends and neighbors from all faith communities to show solidarity with the Palestinian people as they face death and destruction from an occupying force that possesses one of the most lethal militaries in world,” said Farhan Memon, board chair of CAIR-CT. “As citizens from all walks of life, we want our elected representatives to know that our tax dollars should not be funding Israel’s ethnic cleansing of Palestine.”
The latest round of violence comes after right wing Israeli settlers, supported by the government of Israel, are evicting Palestinians from East Jerusalem’s Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. When Palestinians protested peacefully Israeli forces entered the Al Aqsa mosque during the holy month of Ramadan and used rubber bullets and stun grenades against worshippers injuring hundreds.
The United States Government provides more than $3.8 billion in military aid to Israel each year.
SEE: Human Rights Watch: Abusive Israeli Policies Constitute Crimes of Apartheid, Persecution
“It is a shame that our elected politicians close their eyes and don’t say a word,” said Khaled Elleithy, President of BICC. “Ethnic cleansing has been a persistent policy of Israel against the innocent Palestinians. Nevertheless, our tax dollars continued to support Israel.”
“President Biden says he is committed to human rights, but where are the human rights for the Palestinians?” asks Maher Hussein, President of ICCNY. “The historical displacement of Palestinians, including current Israeli efforts to remove Palestinian residents from certain parts of Jerusalem, violates international law and has led to this humanitarian crisis.”
The organizers are also calling on Congressman Himes and other members of Connecticut’s congressional delegation to support H.R. 2590 — The Palestinian Children and Family Act. H.R. 2590 ensures that the government of Israel does not use U.S. taxpayer funds for the military detention of Palestinian children. In addition, the bill provides that Israel does not use our tax dollars for the unlawful seizure, appropriation, and destruction of Palestinian property, the forcible transfer of civilians in the West Bank, or further annexation of Palestinian land in violation of international law.
Additionally, organizers want Connecticut municipalities to stop participating in law enforcement training programs with Israel. Under these exchanges police officers receive training from Israeli counterparts in surveillance and crowd control tactics. However, Amnesty International and other human rights organizations have documented numerous abuses with Israel’s “securitized approach.”
For example, in 2013, seven Stamford police officers attended a course in Israel where they learned specialized tactics from the Israeli military and special operations units. The department has participated in several “anti-terrorism” follow-up sessions.
“We saw last year during the Black Lives Matters protest many occasions in which the police used excessive force against demonstrators, said Farhan Memon. “We don’t want the methods of the Israeli military and police being used in Stamford.”
CAIR’s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, proteger las libertades civiles, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR-CT Board Chair Farhan Memon, [email protected] or 203-517-6526