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Rome: 100,000 demonstrate for Palestine's self-determination and against
Zionist occupation
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Despite heavy rain and the boycott by the big mass media as well as by a
big part of the pacifist left, 100,000 people demonstrated yesterday,
March 9, in Rome in solidarity with the Palestinian Intifada. This was,
in fact, the biggest demonstration in support of the Palestinian cause
ever in Italy. Moreover, there is no doubt that this was also the
biggest mass manifestation in support of Intifada that has ever taken
place in a western country.
The idea to hold this demonstration was launched in October last year by
the Forum for Palestine. Thanks to the efforts of a united basis
committee (part of which was the Italian section of the Anti-imperialist
Camp) this idea could become reality. The call for this demonstration
included five points:
- Withdrawal of the Israeli army from the occupied territories;
- Dismantlement of all Zionist colonial settlements;
- Right to return for the Palestinian refugees;
- Foundation of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its
capital;
- International observation against Israeli violence.
Finally, the call included the request to the Palestinian National
Authority to release A. Saadat, secretary of PFLP, as well as all other
militants of Intifada who have been arrested due to Israeli, US and
European pressure.
Today, March 10, many newspapers have tried to distort this marvellous
demonstration describing it as one of the usual pacifist marches, which
call for equal distance from both the Zionist butchers and Palestinian
victims, which condemn any form of violence "from any side". This is a
lie. Yesterday's demonstration had a clear anti-imperialist character.
It called for the legitimate right of Palestinians to use whatever means
they consider appropriate in order to free Palestine. It confirmed that
whoever struggles for liberation from occupation and oppression can not
be considered a terrorist. To the contrary, the US and NATO are
terrorists since they carry out a strategy of permanent war in order to
maintain their imperial supremacy by heinous means like bombing of
Yugoslavia and Afghanistan as well as imposing criminal embargos on Iraq
and Cuba.
The extraordinary success of yesterday's demonstration represents a big
step forward for the whole international anti-imperialist movement. It
gives us momentum to continue our common struggle, to intensify the
campaigns in solidarity with Intifada as well as with all peoples who
demand an end to the wars of oppression and capitalist globalisation.
In this context, we will contribute our part. At the end of March, an
international solidarity delegation will travel to Iraq. At the end of
this year, in case Israel will not have withdrawn its occupation forces,
we will again organise a solidarity mission in support of the
Palestinian people.
>From August 3 to August 10, the Anti-imperialist Camp 2002 will take
>place in Assisi, Italy, which has become one of the biggest
>international meetings of anti-capitalist and anti-imperialist forces.
>In the framework of this meeting we call upon all forces who support
>the Palestinian Intifada to gather in Assisi for a coordination
>meeting.
The Anti-imperialist Camp
March 10, 2002
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Antiimperialist Camp
PF 23, A-1040 Vienna, Austria
Tel&Fax +43 1 504 00 10
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
www.antiimperialista.com/en
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Serbian News Network - SNN
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.antic.org/
