Posted by Jeff (24.30.53.181) on November 04, 2001 at 20:12:32:
In Reply to: Re: The real Israelis posted by David Chibo on November 04, 2001 at 19:53:31:
: Akhoona,
: There's a big difference between the Israeli Government, and the Israeli people, just as there is big diference between the Australian government an the Australian people.
: The Israeli, American and Australian people are exactly the same as Iraqi and Afghani people. They just want to live a peaceful life and are opposed to this war, as any cecent human should be.
: The doc and I both participated in a protest in the heart of Melbourne yesterday.
: The protest began by laying a wreath on Melbourne's Yarra River to remember the 350 asylum seekers who died on their way to Australia.
: Surrounded by mainly Australian anglo-saxons who were frustrated and angry at our government's myopic and racist views towards the asylum seekers and towards the war in Afghanistan, we blocked city traffic and sat in the middle of one of the busiest intersections in Melbourne.
: Surrounded by red flags and led by Socialists we shouted catchy slogans such as,
: "Do not bomb Afghanistan
: We all remember Vitenam!"
: Wore badges tha read, "Embrace Diversity" and listened to an Islamic Mullah take to the stage and deliver a stirring oratory that called for peace.
: I wondered why our priests didn't do the same when the U.S. attacked Iraq and consequently our people there. I wonder why they are so silent today.
: Jeff get our CARE crew to join in your local protests. Trust me our people need these protests more than any other people. It's time to come out of our shells and show ourselves to the rest of the world.
: There are many more protests to come........
David,
I enjoyed that post very much.
There was once a woman who came to CARE, a Chaldean, who wanted CARE to get involved with the Anti-sanctions activities in Metro Detroit. She suggested that we hold a fundraiser and send the money to Iraq, but the group said no. Then, she suggested some sort of protest or letter writing campaign, the group said no. Then, she suggested that we make lawn signs (similar to political lawn signs) that have facts about the thousands of children that die each month due to the sanctions, or just simply "End the sanctions" or "Iraqis are humans too!" and the group said that they didn't want to get involved since it was political. Then, she told the group about the Anti-sanctions march, and I was the only person (other than her) who was there from CARE. Perhaps in a few more years, the group will have a better direction... but until then, I don't think that there is a thing that I can say or do to get them involved with Metro Detroit Against Sanctions, or any of these other great causes. I don't mean to sound like a pessimist... I'm just telling you like it is.
Jeff