Report on July 23, 2006 Rally | See Kansas City Star report on the rally

KC area Muslims call for end to violence in Lebanon, Gaza and Israel

by Janet Baker

Flags of Lebanon and Palestine held high, colorful signs such as Peace is Patriotic, people distributing pamphlets, cars driving by and honking their support for over the 500 men, women and children gathered...some men wearing T-shirts that read "END THE OCCUPATION,"  women, young and old, many in the traditional Mideast dress and children, lots of wonderful children.

 
One of the many young at the rally.

This was the scene on the Plaza last Sunday afternoon, July 23, 2006 at the J.C. Nichols Fountain.

 
Several American peace activists stood in solidarity with people from Lebanon and Palestine at the rally sponsored by Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation and Citizens for Justice in the Middle East.
 
Often criticized for not speaking out, Muslims came together. There were those from Jordan, Syria, India and Pakistan joined by their peace activists friends from Fairway, Leawood, Overland Park,  Lee's Summit and Kansas City.  All were calling for an end to the horrific violence; all were standing up for justice for the entire Middle East region, Christians and Muslims together supporting each other.
 
Matt Quinn, past president of Citizens for Justice in the Middle East, asked, "Why is it all right for Israel to defend itself, but not for other countries to defend themselves? " He went on the proclaim that the root cause of the violence is the occupation of Palestine.
 
JaaFar Fahda urged the soldiers to leave the civilians alone.  JaaFar had moved to the US from Lebanon in 1984.  He pointed out that that Lebanon represented 17 different religious backgrounds and earlier they had lived together in peace.
JaaFar Fahda pointing to photographs of dead Lebanese children not depicted in major US media.

Ahmad Amro spoke next and said, "Americans give Israel 15 million dollars a day.  That's quite a contrast to the $200,000 a day given to those in the Palestinian territory, and added, "Even with money, there's no food to buy in Gaza."  Also he lamented the large number of Palestinians in jail. He urged the crowd to replace the US government with those who saw the people of the Middle East as human beings.

Ahmad Amro, Palestinian-American, who lived in Hebron spoke about current conditions in Gaza.

 

Hussein Atie had just returned to Kansas City from Lebanon with his family, which included two children ages 10 and 7.  He said with their American/Palestinian passports they were the last to be evacuated.  He noted that the military was not fighting as much as they were just destroying.
 
Matt urged the crowd to get involved, write to Congress, organize their own event.  Andrea Whitmore currently president of CJME closed this part of the rally by encouraging everyone to attend the regional conference October 20-21, 2006.  Hosted by the church peace committee and CJME, the Sabeel Conference which will be held at Village Presbyterian Church and is titled  "Ending the Silence: Voices from the Holy Land."
 
Fadi, president of the Kansas City Chapter of MAS Freedom Foundation, calls our attention to the organization's pledge "...to defend the rights of the Palestinian and Lebanese people and to promote development of a U.S. foreign policy that embraces real peace in the Middle East." 

I do believe the demonstrators, people from all walks of life, brought that message to Kansas City last Sunday.
News Reports on the large rally in Kansas City on Sunday, July 23

400-500 attended rally in the Plaza - Kansas City Star

KC groups protest conflict
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/15107607.htm

By STEVE EVERLY
The Kansas City Star

A large crowd near the Country Club Plaza Sunday chanted, carried signs and listened to speeches calling for American Muslims to stand with Palestinians and Lebanese in the Mideast conflict.

Some demanded an immediate cease-fire and criticized the U.S. for not doing more to stop the conflict.

Many blamed Israel for the deaths of too many civilians and children.

“If they want to fight Hezbollah, then go ahead, but leave the children alone,” said Jaafar Fahda of Kansas City, who said her daughter recently left Lebanon and is now in Paris.

Matt Quinn, past president of Citizens for Justice in the Middle East, said in a speech that a cease-fire is needed. He said the U.S. needs to stop giving Israel a green light to continue the conflict.

The hourlong event was held at the J.C. Nichols Fountain and sponsored by several groups, including the Islamic Society of Greater Kansas City, Citizens for Justice in the Middle East and the KC Iraq Task Force.

Handouts at the protest said that American Muslims had been silent for too long and it was time for them to stand in solidarity with Palestinians, the people of Lebanon and the region.

Cars honked as protestors held signs. Among them was Youssef Elashmawi, who carried a sign that said “450+ Dead Civilians.”

“It’s hard for me to stay home and do nothing,” he said as the chants — including “1-2-3-4, We don’t want Israeli war” — continued.

To reach Steve Everly, call (816) 234-4455 or send e-mail to severly@kcstar.com.