#Chicago4Gaza - 3 Days of Action

#CHICAGO4GAZA

Marking five years since the Israeli army assaults on Gaza resulted in widespread death and destruction, Chicago activists are planning three days of action to highlight the ongoing blockade and Israeli military occupation of Gaza.

The events will begin on Thursday, July 18 at 6:30pm with an educational event, "Lifting the Siege: Why Gaza Matters to Us" featuring AFSC's program associate and Gaza Unlocked contributor Jehad Abusalim and Ret. Col. Ann Wright. Ann Wright was part of four previous boat flotillas to Gaza that attempted to break the blockade by delivering humanitarian supplies by sea. The event is free and open to the public at Grace Place in Chicago. Details are here.

On Friday, July 19 a protest is planned to draw attention to the role of weapons provider Boeing in the assaults and blockade of Gaza. Boeing Company provides F-16 fighter jets, MK-84 bombs, Apache helicopters and sea-to-sea missiles to the Israeli army. (Learn more about Boeing Company on the AFSC investigate site here.) A silent witness will gather at the Israeli consulate in Chicago at 11:30am and read the names of Palestinians killed during the July 2014 Israeli army 51 day assault. A procession will continue to Boeing Headquarters in Chicago, calling on the corporation to end its role in death and destruction. More information about this action is here.

The three days will culminate with a Free Gaza Freedom Flotilla in the Chicago River on Saturday, July 20. Electric boats and kayakers will be in the Chicago river at 11am holding signs "Free Gaza" and "End the Blockade." A shore presence will support the boaters by holding signs and distributing informational flyers about Gaza to the public.

For more information about these actions and to support the 2020 Freedom Flotilla, contact Voices for Creative Nonviolence.

To follow these events on social media, use these hashtags: #Chicago4Gaza   #NoBombsfromBoeing   #GazaUnlocked   #FreedomFlotilla