This week on Capitalism, Race, & Democracy, we continue our coverage of the struggle for a free Palestine.
People all over the world have taken to the streets in the thousands to protest US-sponsored Israeli attacks on Gaza. Washington DC is no exception.
Pacifica’s Thomas O’Rourke reports that a crowd of some ten thousand American Jews and allies sponsored by Jewish Voices for Peace rallied against the Israeli bombing of Gaza at the Capitol Reflecting Pool on Wednesday, October 18 in Washington. They then marched up Capitol Hill to stage a protest and sit-in at the House Cannon Office Building. Organizers claim this was the largest Jewish protest in solidarity with Palestinians ever. Democratic Representatives Rashida Tlaib and Cori Bush were among the speakers.
As rabbis blew traditional shofars inside the Cannon Building Rotunda, thousands outside sang folks songs and chanted “Ceasefire now!”, “Let Gaza live!” and “Stop the Genocide!” Independence Avenue was shut down for three hours while elected officials and staffers watched from their windows and Capitol Police formed lines at key entrances. Dozens of additional cops were quickly sent to reinforce those arresting some 300 of the many sitting down inside the Rotunda. According to the Washington Post, three of those arrested were charged with assault on a police officer.
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Students across the US are facing relentless smears and doxxing attacks for their activism in support of Palestinian rights, as Israel continues its genocidal campaign in the Gaza Strip.
Palestine Legal, a civil rights group, is asking students and activists to contact them immediately to seek legal help and report incidents of harassment, threats, and assaults.
Radhika Sainath, senior staff attorney with Palestine Legal, spoke to Nora Barrows-Friedman of The Electronic Intifada podcast.
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Not only Democratic and Republican legislators, but also the leadership of the AFL-CIO and most national unions support Zionism. However, last week hundreds of trade unionists met online to discuss a working class response to the collective punishment of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. Larry Goldbetter, president of the National Writers Union, is challenging support for the State of Israel within the labor movement. He spoke with Pacifica’s Steve Zeltzer.
Brandon Mancilla is the director of United Auto Workers 9a, a union that represents UAW members in the North East. He spoke about the class struggle and internationalism at a meeting of trade unionists last week.
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Thousands of people rallied on Thursday, October 19, outside the Federal Building in San Francisco, demanding a ceasefire in Gaza and Palestinians right to return to their land. One speaker was Margot of the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network. Robert Roth of the Haiti Action Committee also spoke.
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On October 16, the Russian Federation introduced a resolution at the UN Security Council calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. It was voted down, with only Russia, China, Mozambique, Gabon, and the United Arab Emirates voting in favor. The US, UK, France and Japan voted against it, and the other six members of the Council abstained. Nine of the 15 members must vote yes to pass a resolution with no vetos from any of the five permanent members, China, Russia, France, the UK, and the US.
Two days later, on October 18, Brazil introduced a resolution calling for “humanitarian pause” in the fighting to let desperately needed aid in, but the US vetoed even that.
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Egyptian comedian and TV personality Bassem Youssef used dark humor to shed light on the ongoing IsraelI war and occupation of Palestine in a recent viral interview with British TV host Piers Morgan.
We thank all of Pacifica’s sister stations and affiliates who contribute to the production of this Capitalism, Race, and Democracy. Today’s program was produced by the Capitalism, Race, & Democracy collective and hosted by Ann Garrison.
Music
CUMBIA PALESTINA by Orquesta Popular San Bomba
