Activists speak out on Gaza bombing

A group of people protest Israel's bombings of Gaza on the Coolidge Bridge Monday.">

By Owen Boss

Staff Writer

NORTHAMPTON - In an attempt to raise awareness of Israel's extensive bombing of the Gaza Strip, more than 50 local activists braved cold weather Monday to stage a series of protests on the Coolidge Bridge.

The activist group, calling itself the Ad-Hoc Committee of the Outraged, waved at motorists and held up signs reading "Stop the Massacre," and "Cease-Fire in Gaza" during the morning and evening commutes over the bridge.

Committee member Paki Wieland said the high traffic volume and location of the bridge make for a perfect place to get people's attention, a location she said the group used to protest the prospect of war with Iran, and to celebrate after November's presidential election.

"This is a coalition of every progressive and anti-war group in western Mass," said Wieland. "We are willing to stand in the cold because it is so important. People may go home and see the news on the television and say to themselves #Something is wrong here,' but it is important for them to see that there are people out here doing something about it."

Also protesting the attacks were Amherst residents Bob Hawley and Ruth Hook, both members of Amherst's Episcopal Peace Fellowship. Hawley said the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church recently issued a statement denouncing the bombings and calling for peace.

"Most people don't know that they have been blocking important resources to the Gaza Strip for months now," said Hawley. "We are here because there are things people can be doing. They can call members of the local government or their state representatives. We just want people to get involved."

Israel launched its bombing campaign, the deadliest against Palestinians in decades, on Saturday in retaliation for rocket fire aimed at civilians in southern Israeli towns. The three-day aerial bombardment of the Gaza Strip has killed dozens of civilians, along with Hamas fighters, and has paralyzed life in a territory already battered by blackouts and supply shortages during 18 months of border closures. By Monday, the death toll stood at 364, with some 1,400 reported wounded, according to Palestinian medical officials.

Hook, who traveled to Israel and areas surrounding the Gaza Strip in early November, said a first-hand account of life in the region greatly changed her perspective on the conflict.

"I just came back from the Gaza Strip and there is clearly a disproportionate balance of power there," said Hook. "We should all be concerned."

Another protester named Silvia, who did not wish to give her last name, said she was troubled that more people weren't outraged by the attacks, considering they wouldn't have been possible without American support.

"It is truly outrageous what they are doing over there, it is nothing short of a massacre," she said. "The least we can do is call this to people's attention. Once they realize that there are people willing to stand out here to let them know about it, they should understand what a big deal it is."

Wieland said she plans to attend another anti-war protest, coordinated by the Middle East Peace Coalition, this Saturday from noon to 1 p.m. in front of the old courthouse on Main Street in Northampton.

Material from The Associated Press was used in this report.