Liberal activist group “Activate Virginia” held a march and rally on Wednesday in opposition to Israel.
“America’s cries on behalf of human rights sound increasingly tinny, given our enabling and defense of what’s happening in places like Gaza,” Richmond Times-Dispatch columnist Michael Paul Williams wrote Tuesday in a piece promoting the event that was published by the paper. “Our ability to navigate a path to social justice here is doubtful if we don’t walk the walk abroad.”
He added, “As long as Palestinians can’t breathe, neither can we.”
By mid-day, hundreds of Richmonders heeded the call and gathered to show their “solidarity with Palestine.”
I'm at Monroe Park, where a large crowd of Richmonders has gathered to rally in solidarity with Palestine.
Sen. @SenatorHashmi is speaking now: "Diplomacy, not bombs, is the solution that we call for," she says. @myVPM pic.twitter.com/wXUi3EBzaI
— Alan Rodriguez Espinoza (@ardzes) May 19, 2021
The rally unfolded as tensions in the region continue to rise. Israel has repeatedly had to defend itself from rockets being constantly shot at various cities. In a tweet, the Israel Defense Force detailed that over 3,000 rockets have be shot at Israeli cities in less than 10 days.
In response to non-stop rocket fire on Israeli civilians, the IDF launched Operation Guardian of the Walls one week ago. Here's what's happened so far: pic.twitter.com/sBcXSKxiMz
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) May 17, 2021
Not only has Hamas fired these rockets at the Israeli people, the tweet also identifies that over 450 rockets have misfired. Because of this, Hamas is arguably placing their own supporters in danger.
Instead of encouraging Hamas to cease firing these rockets, the demonstrators with Activate Virginia will blame Israel for the casualties resulting from the conflict.
“Stop the Israeli bombing of Gaza! Stop the settlers’ seizing of Palestinian homes in Jerusalem! Stop all U.S. funding of Israeli apartheid! Self-determination for Palestine,” the graphic presented in the tweet says.
🚨 Richmond Stand with Palestine March & Rally 🚨
Wednesday, May 19
5pm @ Monroe Park pic.twitter.com/vt4hikYT16— Activate Virginia (@ActivateVA) May 15, 2021
The group that organized the rally is backed by multiple far-left activists throughout the state. According to the Activate Virginia website, it “began in late 2016 as a vehicle to address the lack of competitive elections and the corrupt campaign finance system in Virginia through candidate recruiting, activism, and public education. Activate Virginia now serves as an all-volunteer network of researchers and activists who focus on uncovering corruption in Virginia and taking on undemocratic features of Virginia government.”
The organization’s rally followed a concerning trend of Democratic lawmakers and elected officials abandoning support for Israel while under these attacks.
President Joe Biden offered loose support for Israel, stating that the country had “a right to defend itself.” Upon this declaration, the President received backlash from members of his own party.
Another anti-Israel protest is scheduled for Thursday by a separate far-left group, undocUVA.
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for the Star News Network. Follow Cooper on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Stand with Palestine” by Alan Rodriguez Espinoza.
