Remembering war on Gaza

Al-Awda San Diego, joined by many other local activist and progressive groups, held a demonstration and candlelight vigil Jan. 14 to commemorate the third anniversary of the 22-day genocidal attack on the 1.5 million Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip. The U.S.-supported Israeli forces had sealed off Gaza to prevent residents from fleeing the massacre. They then killed 1,417 Palestinians, including 352 children, and seriously wounded 5,300.

As during the past years’ commemorative actions, the assembled supporters of Palestine in San Diego’s historic Balboa Park were confronted by Zionist counterprotesters. Al-Awda leader Zahi Damuni pointed out to the local media covering the event that although the Zionists were fully aware of the somber nature of the concluding vigil — which followed a march through the park — they danced and sang while the names and ages of the 352 dead children were read aloud a few yards away.

— Report and photo by Bob McCubbin