EMERGENCY PROTEST JUNE 7
FOCUSES ON ISRAEL-PALESTINE CONFLICT
An emergency rally, march and public meeting critical of the Israeli attack on a humanitarian flotilla in the Mediterranean bringing supplies to besieged Gaza will take place Monday, June 7, in Middletown, Orange County.
Concerned people throughout the Hudson Valley are urged to attend.
The rally, beginning at 5 p.m., will be held at the intersection of Rt. 211 and North Galleria Drive (directions below). At 7 p.m. the demonstrators will march a half-mile to the Wallkill Town Hall at 99 Tower Drive for a 7:30 p.m. meeting.
The meeting features a forum composed of Hudson Valley residents who will discuss the issues involved in the Israel-Palestine conflict and answer questions from the audience.
The forum includes author and former Bard Professor Joel Kovel, whose most recent book is "Overcoming Zionism;" Felice Gelman, a member of the WESPAC Middle East Committee who participated in the Gaza Freedom March last January; Tarak Kauff, an activist and organizer from Ulster County who also took part in the Freedom March; and Lily Sussman, a graduate of Northeastern University who recently returned from lengthy travel and study in the Middle East. All four have called for an end to Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip, home to some 1.5 million Palestinians.
The emergency action was initiated by the Orange County Democratic Alliance, which is headed by civil liberties attorney Michael Sussman. Several Hudson Valley groups have co-sponsored the June 6 events in Middletown. They include Hudson Valley Activist Newsletter, Peace and Social Justice Now, Orange County Peace and Justice, WESPAC, Middle East Crisis Response, and Hudson Valley Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions.
Directions: Take the NYS Thruway to Newburgh exit 17, which leads you to Rt. 84 West. Take 84 to Rt. 17 going north one stop to exit 120, which is Rt. 211. Go right a short distance on 211 and it brings you to the rally site at Rt. 211 and North Galleria Drive. If you are unfamiliar with this route, as are we, leave a little extra time.
