Michigan shows solidarity with Palestine

Several hundred people gathered Sept. 3 in Dearborn, Mich., for an Al-Quds Day rally in solidarity with the people of Palestine. Al-Quds Day, or Jerusalem Day, is an international demonstration in support of Palestinians living under Israeli occupation, as well as in support of all oppressed people throughout the world. Al-Quds Day has been celebrated historically on the last Friday of Ramadan.

Commemoration of Al-Quds Day on Sept. 3 in Dearborn, Mich. WW photo: Abayomi Azikiwe

Dawud Walid, executive director of the Michigan branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, spoke at the rally. He talked about the peace talks between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority and Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas, citing the exclusion of Gaza’s elected political party from the discussions as a reason why the talks will likely be ineffective at actually creating peace.

Walid also addressed the perception that the United States is playing the role of mediator in the peace talks. This perception is faulty given the U.S.’s obvious bias, as evidenced by its continued military and economic support of Israel.

Fatima Mohammadi, an Iranian activist and survivor of the May Gaza flotilla massacre, also spoke at the rally. She discussed her experiences as a passenger of the Mavi Marmara, one of the ships in the flotilla organized by activists seeking to break the blockade on Gaza. In an attempt to deliver humanitarian goods to Gaza’s starved and imprisoned population, the Mavi Marmara was violently raided and seized by Israeli commandos, who killed nine of the activists on board and injured many more. Mohammadi spoke about the importance and difficulty of finding the truth about this event, especially amid the mainstream media outlets that disseminate pro-Israeli propaganda.

The event also featured poetry and music. During the rally, demonstrators shouted chants in support of Palestinian sovereignty and calling for the end of the occupation by Israel. Members of the Michigan Emergency Committee Against War and Injustice and Workers World Party attended the rally and held signs and a banner in solidarity with Palestine.