Two successful events took place this weekend in Vancouver to help commemorate the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
The first was a packed and lively reception on Nov. 28, 2015 that continued the tradition of Vancouver’s annual commemoration of the International Day of Solidarity. The reception also honoured Robert Lovelace, indigenous activist, lecturer and twice a Freedom Flotilla to Gaza sailor, who was in town for several speaking engagements. Both Robert Lovelace and Hanna Kawas, representing Canada Palestine Association-Vancouver, spoke at the reception and encouraged supporters to continue the struggle for Palestinian national and human rights, and the rights of all colonized and oppressed people.
The reception was hosted by BDS Vancouver-Coast Salish, Canada Palestine Association and Seriously Free Speech Committee. Proceeds from the event went to the Tamam Defense Fund, which is helping with the legal expenses of a local Palestinian who is challenging the arbitrary denial of her Jerusalem residency rights by the Israeli occupation authorities.
Photos from the reception 1, 2, 3
(If you would like to contribute to the Tamam Defense Fund, here are the ways to donate.
Please make your cheques payable to:
Canada Palestine Association (write in the Memo: Tamam Defense Fund) and mail to: CPA c/o BC Market, 930 12th St., New Westminster, BC V3M 4K6 (Cheques can also be dropped off at BC Market)
Or donate online)
The second event was on Nov. 27 at the SFU Downtown campus STOLEN LAND: First Nations & Palestinians at the Frontline of Resistance where the audience heard speakers connecting the two indigenous struggles, including the special guest speaker Robert Lovelace. The event started with the powerful message in the Women’s Warrior Song.
That meeting was organised by the Seriously Free Speech Committee, co-sponsored by Canada Palestine Association/BDS Vancouver, Canadian Boat to Gaza, Independent Jewish Voices – Vancouver, South Asian Network for Secularism and Democracy, UBC Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights and endorsed by Boycott Israeli Apartheid Campaign, North West Indigenous Council, Streams of Justice, and United Network for a Just Peace in Palestine and Israel.
See the hasbara article in the local Zionist paper “Jewish Independent” that fabricated history under the misleading title “Co-opting history“, also see our response to this article, Debunking Zionist Hasbara
Photos from the event: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
