1/14-1/16: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago Activists Direct Actions to Stop Israel War in Gaza

San Francisco: Protesters Call for an End to US Support for Israel as Death Toll Rises Over 1,000 in Gaza

[Indy Bay IMC] Shortly after 8:00am, on January 15th, about 45 Palestinian, Jewish, immigrant rights and prison abolitionists prevented the Israeli consulate in San Francisco (456 Montgomery) from opening by chaining themselves to the doors with locks and tubes in protest of Israeli apartheid and the current attacks on Gaza. In a statement, they call for an immediate ceasefire; the opening of land, sea, and air borders to allow in emergency supplies; and an end to US financial and political support for Israel. Nine people were arrested for blocking the doors and refusing to move. Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | Video

This action follows the lockdowns at the Israeli consulate in Los Angeles, and the Israeli embassies in Montreal and Toronto. The Palestinian death toll now stands at over 1,045. Israel is continuing to escalate its assault on Gaza. In the past day alone, Israel has hit many civilian targets in Gaza City, including a UN building, a hospital, and a building housing several media organizations.

International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network | Arab Resource Organizing Center | General Union of Palestinian Students | Palestinian Youth Network

Jewish Activists Shut Down Israeli Consulate in Los Angeles

[LA IMC] LOS ANGELES January 14, 2009 - Early this morning, Jewish activists in a historic first in Los Angeles, chained themselves to the entrance of the Israeli Consulate and blocked the driveway to the parking structure, blocking all traffic in and out of the building. "We sent a clear message to the world that LA Jews are part of the global majority in opposition to the Israeli siege of Gaza," said Lenny Potash a 72-year old protester who was cuffed to eight other activists, blocking the driveway to the consulate. The activists were joined by 50 other supporters and who chanted "LA Jews say, End the Siege of Gaza" and "Not in Our Name! We will Not be Silent!" Protesters also held up signs reading "Israeli Consulate: Closed for War Crimes."

From the newswire Jews Shut Down Israeli Consulate -LA By riKu Matsuda | | JEWS SHUT DOWN LOS ANGELES ISRAELI CONSULATE! by International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network | | BREAKING NEWS: Jews Shut Down Israeli Counsulate in Protest of Attack on Gaza! by Jewish People of Conscience | | Jewish activists block Israeli Consulate by Robert Stuart Lowden

1/16: Protesters Occupy Durbin's Chicago Office To Demand End to U.S. Support for Israeli Assault on Gaza

Protesters Occupy Durbin's Chicago Office To Demand End to U.S. Support for Israeli Assault on Gaza.

* Supporters are picketing outside office in support, and in direct contact with activists participating in occupation. Press conference at site begins at NOON today.
* Tell Durbin to meet by phone with the protesters! Call his DC and Chicago offices! DC phone: 202-224-2152; DC fax 202-228-0400; Chicago phone 312-353-4952; Chicago fax 312-353-0150

BREAKING NEWS ALERT: For Immediate Release. Press contact: Hatem Abudayyeh 773-301-4108; Maureen Murphy, 630-290-0678 (Ms. Murphy is inside with the protesters occupying Sen. Durbin's office.)

Protest/Occupation: NOW, Friday, JANUARY 16, 2009
Chicago office of U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, 230 S. Dearborn St., Chicago

Chicago, IL – More than ten social justice advocates have occupied the office of Senator Durbin in Chicago in response to Israel's ongoing military offensive against the Gaza Strip, and Durbin's cosponsorship last week of a resolution that effectively gives Israel the green light to continue its military onslaught. Durbin's office is located in the Kluczinski Federal Building at 230 S. Dearborn Street. The protesters are demanding a meeting with Durbin as well as commitments from the Senator to take specific concrete steps towards ending Israel's military siege of Gaza.

Supporters of the protesters are also at the Kluzinski Building and will hold a press conference at noo
n today. They are available to provide breaking news updates to reporters immediately, and are in ph one contact with the protesters participating in the occupation.


The activists participating in the occupation issued the following statement to Durbin's staff when they entered the Senator's office:

"We seek action from Senator Durbin in light of Israel's ongoing military and economic siege of the Gaza Strip. Over 21 days, Israel's military offensive against Gaza has resulted in the deaths of more than 1,000 Palestinians and the injury of 5,000 – the overwhelming majority of whom are non-combatants and civilians. More than one-third of those killed or injured are women and children. Children comprise over half of Gaza's population. Palestinians in Gaza are unable to flee, as Israel has sealed the borders, and the humanitarian situation in Gaza is rapidly deteriorating. AS concerned US citizens and individuals representing an ad-hoc coalition of social justice organizations, we are taking direct action to demand that Senator Durbin do the following:

Immediately meet with us in person or via phone given the urgency of the situation in Gaza. Senator Durbin and his senior aides have so far been unwilling to meet with constituents concerned by Israel's military siege of Gaza.

Issue a public statement calling for the immediate end to Israel's military offensive against Gaza; for the full withdrawal of all Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip; and for the opening of the borders into and out of Gaza for free and unfettered humanitarian relief efforts.

Take legislative action to investigate Israel's compliance with the Arms Export Control Act of 1976 and comply with Amnesty International's call for an embargo on all armed parties engaged in hostilities in the Gaza Strip to prevent further unlawful attacks and violations of international law.

Organizations participating in the occupation of Durbin's office include Voices for Creative Nonviolence; 8th Day Center for Justice; Francis of20Assisi House Catholic Worker; Christian Peacemaker Teams Chicago; Palestine Solidarity Group Chicago; Fight Back! News; Strangers and Guests Catholic Worker Farm (Maloy, Iowa).