Tulsa World: Tulsans protest Gaza violence

Home > News > Article

RSS

Bookmark

Tulsans protest Gaza violence

(left) Abdul Hamid Alhou, Shereen and Nour Jasasra at rally protesting Israel involvement in Palestine on the corner of 71st and Memorial. STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World

By DEON HAMPTON World Staff Writer
Published: 1/2/2009 8:58 PM
Last Modified: 1/3/2009 3:29 PM

Related Story: Bush: Hamas attacks on Israel an 'act of terror'

About 160 people protested in Tulsa on Friday afternoon over the fighting between Israel and Palestinians in Gaza.

Muslim Iman Arthur Farahkhan said the nonviolent protest was by “people of conscience” who want to help “stop the violence and cease all fire.”

“I couldn’t have a good weekend knowing people in the conflict won’t have one,” Farahkhan said during the protest at the intersection of 71st Street and Memorial Drive.

He said he wants the United States to intervene in the ongoing clash.

“We’re here to say, 'Please, President (George W.) Bush, stop the massacre,’?” Farahkhan said.

Israel unleashed its bombs Dec 27 in a bid to halt weeks of intensifying Palestinian rocket fire directed at Israel from the Gaza Strip.

Bush has branded the rocket attacks by Palestinian organization Hamas an “act of terror,” and he said Friday that “the United States is leading diplomatic efforts to achieve a meaningful cease-fire that is fully respected.”

In Tulsa, several cars honked their horns as the protesters raised signs in defiance of the increasing violence.

Signs read “Stop the violence” and “No New Holocaust in Gaza.” Others read “The children of Gaza are human too!” and “Stop killing Palestinian kids.

Palestinian protester Houssam Soueissi said, “We’re here to stop the killing of women, children and civilians.”

He also wants Bush to intercede.

“We (the United States) have the political weight and power to stop the violence,” Soueissi said.

The Associated Press contributed to this story. By DEON HAMPTON World Staff Writer