SCM alumni join Gaza Freedom March in Egypt
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In breaking news, several SCM Canada alumni – including former Personnel Representative on the board, Jean Lee – have joined the Gaza Freedom March to break the unjust blockade of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Following Egypt’s refusal to allow the Gaza Freedom Marchers to enter Gaza, the more than 1,300 peace-and-justice activists are setting out on foot. Despite police blockades set up throughout downtown Cairo in an attempt to pen the protesters in and prevent them from demonstrating in solidarity with Palestinians, the internationals are unfurling their banners and calling on supporters of peace around the world to join them to demand the end of the siege of Gaza.
Egypt’s offer to allow 100 of the 1400 marchers to enter Gaza was denounced as insufficient and deliberately divisive by the organizers. Meanwhile, the Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs has sought to spin this last-minute offer as an act of goodwill for Palestinians and isolation of “troublemakers.” The Gaza Freedom March categorically rejects these assertions. Activists are in Cairo because they are being prevented by the Egyptian government from reaching Gaza. “We do not wish to be here, Gaza has always been our final destination”, said Max Ajl one of the marchers.
SCM Canada has taken a stand in support of justice for the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination, as well as a peaceful and just solution to the conflict.
We’ll have more updates from Jean and the other SCMers as it comes in – check out the blog in the coming weeks to hear eyewitness reports of this important global action.
