Since the Israeli air and ground war on Gaza began, after October 7, the Gaza Health Ministry has registered the death toll at more than 40,000. Palestinian Civil Defense and OCHA, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, estimates that another 10,000 are buried under the rubble and that it will take years to dig out the bodies. The medical journal the Lancet estimated that the death toll may be as high as 186,000 if deaths caused by shortages of food, water, shelter, medicine, and medical care are included.
In February, the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees, UNRWA, said that more than 70% of civilian infrastructure had been destroyed or severely damaged by Israeli aerial bombing. UNRWA also reports that 10 children per day are losing one or both legs, and many doctors report performing amputations without anesthesia. The United States has sent Israel tens of billions of dollars worth of military equipment, including thousands of 2000-pound bombs, since October 7.
Pro-Palestinian activists held rallies, marches, and actions every day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, from August 19 to 22.
Hours after the convention opened, thousands rallied in Union Park, where Pacifica’s Steve Zeltzer recorded some voices.
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Next, Ann Garrison reports on the protests that took place throughout the convention, including the Poor People’s March, the protest in front of the Israeli consulate, and actions by CODEPINK to interrupt the DNC.
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Host Ann Garrison spoke to human rights and labor lawyer Dan Kovalik, author of The Case for Palestine, Why It Matters and Why You Should Care, on the sidelines of the rally at Union Park on the first day of the convention.
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Days before the Democratic National Convention, independent reporters Jack Poulson and Lee Fang reported on leaked documents showing that a former general counsel of the Democratic National Committee secretly advised the Israeli government on how to avoid registering its PR commando unit under the Foreign Agents Registration Law, which requires individuals doing political or advocacy work on behalf of foreign entities in the United States to register with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and disclose their relationship, activities, receipts, and disbursements. Pacifica’s Steve Zeltzer interviewed Jack Poulson on the sidelines of the Monday August 19 rally for Palestine in Chicago.
And that concludes today’s edition of Capitalism, Race & Democracy. We thank all of Pacifica’s sister stations and affiliates who contribute to the production of this show. Today’s program was produced by the Capitalism, Race & Democracy collective, with contributions from Steve Zeltzer, Polina Vasiliev, and the host, Ann Garrison.
You can find this and all previous episodes at our website “capitalism race and democracy dot ORG”. Make sure you click the subscribe button. Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, @PacificaCRD.
Thanks for listening!
Music:
Richie Havens, “Lives in the Balance”
Orquesta San Bomba, “Cumbia Palestina”
