USA,Oakland: Mass Picket Condemning Israel’s Attack on the #Gaza Freedom #Flotilla

 Join the Labor and Community Picket of Israeli Zim Lines Ship

Sunday, June 20 5:30 A.M (morning)
Port of Oakland, Berth 57, Middle Harbor Rd.

Protest Israel’s Attack on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla!
Boycott Israeli Ships and Goods!
Lift the Blockade NOW – Let Gaza Live!
Bring Down Israel's Apartheid Wall!

Event Contacts:

Event information: www.transportworkers.org
www.answersf.org

For logistical information not covered in this email call: 415 -821-6545

National Lawyers Guild legal hotline: 415-285-1011

Sunday carpooling: 510-282-7032
christopher.cubillos@gmail.com 

Summary:

* We will gather at West Oakland BART (near 7th/Mandela Parkway) at 5AM in the parking lot to caravan and carpool to the site. The port gate may be blocked off to cars so we may have to walk to the berth, about one mile.

* BART does not run at 5AM on Sundays so arrange to get there by car, bus, bike, etc. Contact number for carpool coordination listed below.

* Bring food, water, sunblock and hat.

Unions, labor federations and other organizations around the world have condemned Israel’s deadly attack against the Gaza Freedom Flotilla on May 31, 2010. Nine people were killed and dozens seriously injured in the Israeli commando attack in international waters on ships attempting to bring humanitarian cargo to the suffering and blockaded people of Gaza. Six people aboard the ships are still missing and presumed dead.

The Israeli attack on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla was a blatant act of piracy on the high seas. No Israeli ship should now be allowed to carry on trading activity any where in the world without facing picket lines, protests and embargo. Dock workers in several countries including South Africa, Norway, Sweden and Malaysia have declared that they will refuse to handle Israeli cargo in the coming weeks.

We call on everyone who stands for justice and against occupation and apartheid to join the June 20 picket at the Port of Oakland. This is a moment of great opportunity. In San Francisco in 1984, a picket line and refusal to unload cargo of a ship carrying South African cargo was a key event in mobilizing the anti-apartheid movement worldwide.

Sponsored by: Labor / Community Committee in Solidarity with the Palestinian People: Arab American Union Members Council, ANSWER- Act Now to Stop War and End Racism, Palestine Youth Network, US Palestine Community Network, Al Awda- Right to Return Coalition, Arab Youth Organization, MECA-Middle East Children's Alliance, SJP-Students for Justice in Palestine, AROC-Arab Resource and Organizing Center, ISM-International Solidarity Movement, San Jose Peace and Justice Center, International Socialist Organization, Peace and Freedom Party - SF, Transport Workers Solidarity Committee, Bay Area US Labor Against the War, Bay Area Committee for Peace and Justice, Barrio Unido, Movement for Unconditional Amnesty for All Immigrant Workers, National Assembly to End the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars and Occupation, Friends of Deir Ibzi’a, Socialist Viewpoint, FMLN in Northern California, San Jose Justice for Palestinians, Code Pink – SF, World Can’t Wait – SF, International Action Center, Skyline Against Cuts, Industrial Workers of the World –SF, Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists Social Justice Committee, QUIT! - Queers Undermining Israeli Terrorism, Fred Hirsch, Executive Board member of Plumbers & Fitters Local 393, delegate to the South Bay AFL -CIO Labor Council, and many labor activists in the Bay Area.
(list in formation - to endorse email: ekishawi@yahoo.com)