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No More Bloodshed in Gaza!
Stop the Invasion!
Hong Kong People Condemn Israeli Aggression, Vow More Protests
Solidarity broadened and strengthened for Palestine today.
Several organizations and individuals all over Hong Kong gathered in a
picket protest today, January 8, at the Israeli Consulate General to
condemn the ongoing and intensifying attacks by the Israeli Zionist
government on the people of Gaza.
Led by the Asia Pacific Students and Youth Association (ASA, formerly
known as the Asian Students Association), the picket gathered around 70
people from various local and regional platforms, with many of them
joining the march to the U.S. Consulate.
The organizations who joined included the following: Justice and Peace
Commission of Hong Kong Catholic Diocese, HK Confederation of Trade
Unions, Hong Kong Federation of Students, League of Social Democrats,
Refugee Action Centre, Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants, Mission For
Migrant Workers (HK) Society, Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge, United
Filipinos in Hong Kong, Asian Migrants Coordinating Body, Association of
Indonesian Migrant Workers in Hong Kong (ATKI-HK), Pakistani Islamic
Welfare Union,
The Incorporated Trustees of The Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong,
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan Hong Kong (BAYAN-HK), Asian Centre for the
Progress of Peoples, International League of Peoples’ Struggle Hong Kong,
Filipino Migrant Workers Union, Association for the Advancement of
Feminism, Asian Human Rights Commission, Asian Monitor Resource Centre,
April 5th Movement, World Student Christian Federation Asia Pacific, and
Helpers for Islam.
Other known personalities present were Legislator Leung Kwok Hung (aka
Long Hair), Dr. Rose Wu (former director of the HK Christian Institute),
Father Franco Mella PIME, and Mufti Muhammad Arshad (Chief Imam Hong
Kong).
Note-worthy are the many individuals, many of whom were students, who
joined the action after learning about the invitation through SMS and
Facebook.
At the Admiralty Centre
A strong sense of solidarity spirit engulfed the whole ground floor of the
Admiralty Centre, the building where Israeli Consulate is situated.
Speeches were given as slogans like “No More Deaths! No More Bombings!”
and “Stop the Aggression! Israel Out of Palestine Now!” were chanted right
after every speech.
During the start of the program, a small delegation made up of Rey Asis
(secretariat member of the ASA), Imam Arshad, Baseer Navid of AHRC, Long
Hair and a representative from PIWU were planning to give the position
paper signed by various groups and individuals to the Israeli Consulate.
However, they were stopped several times by the building security and
finally refused entry to the lift going to the Israeli Consulate’s office.
This created uproar and indignation both from the delegation and the
people gathered outside the building.
Truly, such action from the Admiralty Centre security was shameful.
Marching to the US Consulate
After the program in Admiralty, the protesters marched to the US Consulate
to continue the demonstration.
There, the protesters were not remiss in denouncing the US government’s
continuous political and military support to the Israeli Zionist
government’s invasion of Gaza and Palestine.
A moment of silence was observed towards the end of the program to
remember the many women, children and innocent civilians who died from the
Israeli assaults.
Solidarity was again expressed as the groups committed to follow up on the
developments and take necessary actions. A solidarity network for
Palestine is already in the offing.
Truly, today’s action proved that solidarity embraced all races,
religions, ages and colors. It was a very meaningful and inspiring event.
Reference:
Rey Perez Asis
Secretariat Member, Asia Pacific Students and Youth Association
Contact number: (852) 9588 9491
Email: reyasis@gmail.com
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