The Marxist-Leninist Daily

Montreal action against U.S.-Israeli assault on Lebanon - July 22, 2006

People around the world from the Americas to Europe, Africa and Asia are in action condemning the U.S.-Israeli aggression against Lebanon and war crimes against the Lebanese people. Demonstrations, forums, vigils and other actions were held in countries around the world throughout the week of July 16-22, vigorously supporting the resistance of the Lebanese and Palestinian peoples and demanding Israel immediately stop its murderous assault.

Following a full week of actions, people from all walks of life and national backgrounds took to the streets in cities across Canada on July 22 where they expressed categorical condemnation of the war crimes being committed by Israel and Prime Minister Stephen Harper's support for these crimes by calling them a "measured response." Actions were held in Fredricton, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Hamilton, Kitchener, London, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Vancouver and Victoria and earlier in the week in Guelph, Windsor and Calgary. They denounced the criminal and irresponsible manner in which the evacuation of Canadians from Lebanon is being carried out. Canadians of Lebanese decent staunchly affirmed themselves as Canadians second to none, condemning their treatment as second-class citizens by the Canadian state.

As U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice meets with the Lebanese, Palestinian and Israeli governments, once again the monopoly media are presenting the U.S. administration as an "honest broker" for peace. Headlines read: "Rice seeks 'urgent and enduring' peace," even though statements from the White House have called any immediate ceasefire a "fool's errand." This shows Rice is in the region precisely to stop a ceasefire, pursuing the U.S. imperialist and Zionist aim of wiping out any resistance to their dictate.

The actions around the world show that the peoples are determined to hold the U.S. imperialists and the Zionist state of Israel responsible for what is taking place in the Middle East, many upholding that Resistance Is a Right! -- besides being the only option.

In this regard, contrary to media disinformation which claims the Israelis have established a beachhead in Lebanon, the Lebanese resistance continues to fight the Zionist invaders. It is reported that the Lebanese Resistance captured 44 people who were signalling targets to Israeli fighter jets, temporarily reducing the aerial bombardment. The U.S. and Israel have responded to their deepening crisis by escalating their murderous assaults on civilians.

TML is posting below reports and photos from actions opposing the U.S.-Israeli aggression held in Canada and around the world.

Fredricton

Montreal

A militant march took to the streets of downtown Montreal on July 22 after a week of actions that included a press conference, a demonstration and a solidarity chain and information picket on the night the U.S. had its turn in the annual international fireworks competition. A 24-hour vigil was held across from the Israeli consulate at Dorchester Square where many people, especially youth, set up camp with bold slogans and banners denouncing the Israeli aggression against Lebanon.

On July 22, contingents gathered at Dorchester Square and Concordia University and merged as they made their way to the Government of Canada offices at Guy-Favreau Complex. Lebanese and Palestinian flags waved throughout the march, as well as those of CPC(M-L) carrying the slogans "One Humanity, One Struggle" in Arabic, French and English, "Sovereignty Yes, Annexation No," and "End Canada's Support for U.S./Zionist War Crimes." Participants chanted slogans condemning the U.S. and Israel as terrorists and Harper as their accomplice.

The march concluded with a rally at the Guy-Favreau Complex where several speakers addressed the crowd, affirming that Canadians and Quebecers of all national backgrounds stand together against the assault on Lebanon. Organizers announced that 15,000 people had taken part in the action. They announced that members of the Montreal family that lost eight family members when they were hit by an Israeli bomb were present at the action. Various organizations addressed the rally, including representatives of the Canadian Muslim Forum, the Bloc Québécois, the Fédération des femmes du Québec, Palestinian and Jewish Unity (PAJU), Quebec Solidaire, CPC(M-L) and the Canadian Action Party, amongst many others. A message from the Fédération des travailleurs du Québec was read out. A Shia imam and a Sunni imam militantly condemned the crimes and injustices being committed against the Lebanese people, including the destruction of all that they have built with their hard work since they expelled the Israeli occupiers in 2000.

Ottawa

Toronto

With less than one week's notice, thousands of people packed the major thoroughfare in front of the Israeli consulate in Toronto on July 22 for an emergency rally. They condemned the criminal Israeli aggression against Lebanon and Gaza and denounced the Canadian government's support for the attacks.

Police barricades down the centre of Bloor St. did not deter anyone, as the crowd stretched further down the street as more and more people arrived to join the protest.

The rally was characterized by a spirit of unity, with speakers of many nationalities and sectors of the society coming forward to add their voices to the condemnation of Israeli war crimes. Many slogans were shouted demanding justice for Lebanon and Palestine and branding the U.S. and Israel as the terrorists.

James Clark of the Toronto Coalition to Stop the War and Winnie Ng, a vice-president of the Canadian Labour Congress, introduced the presentations on behalf of the main organizing groups, which included the Canadian Arab Federation (CAF), the Jewish Women Against the Occupation, the Muslim Unity Group and the Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid.

Khaled Mouammar, president of the CAF, condemned the "disgraceful" response of the Canadian government and of Harper. Mouammar said that Harper must also be held responsible for the destruction in Lebanon and the killing of civilians. He condemned the fact that Harper puts no value on the lives of Arab people, a charge that was echoed in many other speeches throughout the rally and in the banners and placards carried in the street.

Naryag Gill of the Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid accused the Canadian government of actively supporting Israeli state terrorism. She said that the important lesson to learn from the Apartheid South African state is that those states do not dismantle themselves. She appealed to all to confront the ideology of Zionism and to create the front lines of battle here against the racist nature of the Israeli state, saying that "there can only be peace in Palestine when there is justice in Palestine."

A Canadian of Lebanese descent condemned Harper for ignoring the suffering of the Lebanese people and declared that he and his government do not represent Canadians, a sentiment that was repeated often throughout the day. She demanded that Israel end its genocide against the Arab people and that the Canadian government stand up for democracy and humanity.

Judith Weisman of the Jewish Women Against the Occupation stated that she was enraged by what was going on in the Middle East. Once a Zionist who believed that Israel would be a salvation for the Jewish people, she has since concluded that it has become the worst enemy.

Among the trade unionists represented at the rally, Hassan Yussuf, secretary-treasurer of the Canadian Labour Congress, added his voice to the demand that Israel must respect international law and end its invasion of Lebanon.

Sid Ryan, president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees--Ontario Division, spoke about how CUPE unanimously passed a resolution at its recent convention calling for boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel and demanding that Israel respect UN resolutions protecting the rights of Palestinians. He condemned the Canadians government's support for the Israeli atrocities in Lebanon and called for other unions to join in this opposition.

Rev. Vicki Obedkoff of the United Church of Canada announced that her church had recently resumed its commitment to a policy of divestment in Canadian and U.S. companies that do business with Israel. She also commended the Toronto Conference of the church for its resolution calling for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands.

The event continued with a march to the U.S. consulate, where several more speakers addressed the crowd. Elias Hazineh, president of Palestine House, saluted the fighters in Lebanon and Gaza who are standing up for the dignity of their peoples. He told the gathering that Harper does not speak for Canadians and told the crowd, "You are the face of Canada, you are the face of humanity." He vowed that, just as apartheid was defeated, Zionism would be defeated.

Ali Mallah of the CAF closed the rally with a pledge that "we will defend every people, whether Palestinian, Lebanese, Iraqi or Afghan, who are fighting against the occupier."

Other actions have also been held in Toronto, including a public emergency meeting on July 17 and a demonstration July 18 in Dundas Square organized by the Lebanese community.

Hamilton

McMaster Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights (SPHR) held a militant demonstration in Hamilton on July 22. More than 250 people participated, including all sectors of Hamilton society -- the Arab and Muslim community, local university students, workers, seniors and others. Whole families attended with children and youth leading the way, carrying a large banner reading: "Resistance Is a Right."

Speakers at the rally included Khowla Ibrahim, a Canadian of Palestinian descent; Jamile Ghaddar from Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights (SPHR); and a young woman who had just returned from Lebanon the previous night as part of the first wave of Lebanese Canadian evacuees. Each speaker vehemently denounced the crimes of the Zionists and the Harper government's support for these crimes. Rolf Gerstenberger, president of United Steelworkers Local 1005, also addressed the rally, saying that the Zionists are trying to repeat what they did in 1947-48 when they bombed Palestinian villages to force the people out and then taking over the land by claiming that Palestinian people abandoned their homes. The U.S. and the Zionists are committing war crimes against the Palestinians and the people in Lebanon using all the same tactics as the Nazis in the Second World War, he said. The steelworkers denounce these crimes and we denounce the position of the Canadian government which is encouraging the Zionists by labeling their crimes as a measured response, he added.

The demonstration wound its way through the streets to stop at the Israeli Bonds building where Canadians can buy bonds directly from the Zionist state and receive a tax cut for this contribution to crimes and genocide.

The demonstration continued toward the federal building to express outrage at the role of the Canadian government. Various people, including local CUPE organizers, women and men from the community stepped up and expressed their views, concerns and vigorously denounced the Zionist project in the Middle East. This created an atmosphere of engagement, building on the democratic nature of the demonstration as a whole, one participant said.

In the early stages of the demonstration, local police attempted to force the marchers onto the sidewalk. This was rejected both by SPHR organizers and by the participants. Refusing to vacate the street, the protesters chanted: "Who's streets! Our streets!" and "No justice, no peace, no fascist police!" In keeping with the slogan "Resistance Is a Right!" organizers stressed the right of the Canadian people to demonstrate without a permit, as the police claimed was necessary. This spirit which forced the police to allow the demonstration to continue on the streets permeated the whole march.

Windsor

Approximately 1,500 people gathered in Windsor on July 19 to express their opposition to Israel's attack on Lebanon and Gaza and the role the Canadian government is playing.

The demonstration marched downtown from Windsor's east side with participants shouting slogans all the way. "Stop Killing Innocent Children," "Zionism is Racism" and "Stop Bombing Lebanon Now!" rang through the streets. One participant spoke through the megaphone to inform the participants of Canada's role at this time in the Middle East, citing the lack of a timely evacuation plan, resulting in the needless deaths and suffering of Canadian citizens and residents and Canada's silence concerning Israel's aggression in the face of these deaths.

The march concluded with a rally where Canadians of Lebanese origin addressed the crowd. One representative cited numerous UN resolutions placed on Israel that have not been adhered to, noting that Lebanon and Palestine are held to a different standard such as with resolution 1559 which was used to meddle in the internal affairs of Lebanon.

Margaret Villamizar, representative of the Windsor Peace Coalition, stated that without justice there can be no peace in the Middle East and that the Canadian people are demanding that the name of Canada be associated with justice.

A young woman asserted that Lebanon has the right to defend itself against anyone who tries to destroy it. She also asserted: "Not only was Israel defeated in 2000 but America was too. The Lebanese resistance defeated them and this is nothing but a war of revenge."

Nightly vigils and forums to educate and oppose the disinformation of monopoly media have also been held in Windsor with more than 300 people at each event.

Calgary

More than 1,000 Calgarians demonstrated July 21 at City Hall against Israel's assault on Gaza and Lebanon. After various speakers briefly addressed the rally, participants marched onto MacLeod Trail and headed to the Harry Hays Federal Building.

The placards they carried and the slogans they shouted expressed their opposition to the war crimes being committed against the Lebanese and Palestinian peoples. They expressed the outrage the people felt both towards the state of Israel and the open defence of collective punishment by Harper. They declared: "Measured Response Does Not Mean Killing Innocent Civilians," "Measured Response Does Not Mean Destroying Infrastructure," "Harper You Don't Speak for Me," "Bring Our Families Home," "Hold Harper Accountable," "Stop Israeli War Crimes and Collective Punishment."

The protest concluded with more speakers at the federal building. Some of the participants went back to City Hall and Olympic Plaza by which time it was rush hour. Thousands of people going home from work passed by honking their horns in support.

The protest lasted for close to three hours. One of the organizers called on everyone to come to Harper's constituency office in southwest Calgary to demand that the Canadian government take up its responsibility to its own citizens and stop giving the green light to war crimes and collective punishment.

Vancouver

More than 800 people demonstrated against Israeli aggression in Vancouver on July 22. They came at the call of several Lebanese and Palestinian organizations endorsed by a wide range of activists in Vancouver to join in the national day of action against the bombing of Lebanon and the brutal assault on the Palestinian people.

Several speakers condemned the Israeli attacks and denounced U.S. imperialism and the big powers for financing and arming Israel in its assaults on the peoples of the Middle East. Several speakers condemned Harper for his open support of Israeli state terror and for the way Canadians being evacuated from Lebanon were treated.

Following speeches, participants took to the downtown streets where thousands of people watched and expressed support for the cause of the demonstrators who carried banners, flags and placards supporting the Lebanese and Palestinian peoples and condemning Israeli aggression.

Around the World

Actions have held in cities throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia. Some 1,000 Israelis demonstrated in Rabin Square in Tel Aviv on July 22 carrying placards reading "War is Disaster," "Peace -- Yes, War -- No" and "Jews and Arabs Refuse to Be Enemies." Mohammed Barrakeh, an Israeli-Arab MP, said: "This war is a catastrophe. We can prevent this catastrophe through negotiations that would save the lives of Arabs and Israelis."

Actions were held in the northern Gaza Strip city of Beit Lahia and the West Bank cities of Tulkarm, Nablus and Ramallah in which thousands of Palestinians participated. Some 30,000 people demonstrated in Cairo demanding the Arab leaders listen to their peoples' demands. Demonstration have also been held in Iraq, Jordan, Yemen, Iran, Sudan, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines and Korea. In Australia, more than 10,000 people carrying coffins and chanting "No War" marched in downtown Sydney, including former Guantanamo Bay detainee Mamdouh Habib.

Some 20,000 people demonstrated in London denouncing British Prime Minister Tony Blair's refusal to condemn Israel's assault on the Lebanese and Palestinian peoples, continuing the spirit from the Iraq demonstrations declaring: "Not in Our Name!" Betty Hunter, the general-secretary of the Palestine solidarity campaign, said: "The main purpose of this demonstration is to say to Tony Blair and our government that we are ashamed of the position they are taking which is basically to collude with the war crimes of Israel." Yasmin Ataullah, spokeswoman for the British Muslim initiative, said: "We're disgusted by the way the U.S. and Britain have isolated themselves from the rest of the international community."

"Peace for Lebanon!" participants chanted as the march weaved its way through central London, past the U.S. embassy and on to Hyde Park, watched all the way by the police. "Stop the killing, stop the bombs. Israel out of Lebanon," shouted protestors, many draped in Lebanese or Palestinian flags. Others shouted: "Hezbollah is here to stay. Zionism go away." Protests were also held in other cities across England and in Scotland.

More than 2,000 marched to the Israeli embassy in Stockholm, Sweden. Other demonstrations took place in Barcelona, Athens, Rome, Paris, Bern, Copenhagen, Strasbourg, Berlin, Warsaw and Amsterdam.

In Geneva, 500 people marched in silence behind a coffin meant to symbolize the death of the conscience of the United Nations. Anouar Gharbi, the president of the rights for all association that organized the protest, said: "We have chosen a silent march to show that there is no word to qualify the unqualifiable."

Actions have been held in cities across the United States including New York, Boston, Houston, San Francisco and Dearborn, Michigan. Several hundred demonstrators gathered in downtown Chicago carrying banners that read: "The Right to Fight or the Might to Smite" and "Not with Our Money, Not in Our Name."

Funerals were held for Brazilians who died as a result of the Israeli bombing in Lebanon. Brazil has the largest population of Lebanese descent numbering at 7 million. Brazilian evacuees arriving home from Lebanon carried placards condemning the crimes of the U.S. and Israel. Actions have also been held in Argentina, Venezuela and Chile.