Lansing Noontime Peace Vigil for Gaza Flotilla Victims Set for Friday, June 4th

PEC and MSU at a rally to remember Gaza in 2009

The Peace Education Center (PEC) of Greater Lansing is joining in solidarity with local peace organizations, as well as the international community and human rights organizations around the globe, in condemning the military attack by Israeli Occupation Forces on humanitarian aid ships heading to Gaza in Palestine over the weekend.

The PEC is asking all citizens in Greater Lansing to join the local peace vigil in front of the Capitol Building at noon on Friday, June 4, 2010.

The vigil will be dedicated to the people killed and injured in the attack on the flotilla and will advocate for an end to the Israeli blockade of Gaza.

The “Gaza Freedom Flotilla,” loaded with medical supplies, food, and other much needed humanitarian aid, was heading to the Gaza Strip when they were victims of an unprovoked nighttime attack in international waters by Israeli commandos.  The Israelis killed an estimated 15 people and injured over 60 people.  In launching the effort, the flotilla organizers had publicly announced their humanitarian purpose and made clear that the ships were populated with unarmed civilians.  The Israeli military attack on the vessels has spurred worldwide condemnation and protest.

“We encourage Lansing citizens to come out on Friday to support human rights, peace, and an end to the blockade of Gaza,” said Peace Education Center co-chair Tom Rico.  “Israel’s denial of food, medicine and other basic needs to the Gaza civilian population is illegal and immoral.  This military attack on an unarmed humanitarian aid vessel only underscores this point further.”

“The PEC has received email messages from various members of the Michigan Peace Team (MPT) and the Greater Lansing Network Against War and Injustice (GLNAWI) expressing concern for the flotilla,” said Rico.  The vigil on June 5, 2010, will be the 453rd straight Friday the local peace community has maintained a presence in front of the Capitol, which started prior to the U.S. invasion of Iraq.

Take Action Now!
If you cannot attend the vigil but wish to express your concern about this issue to your representatives, contact Senators Levin and Stabenow and President Obama using the information below.

Senator Levin – Email and postal contact center: http://levin.senate.gov/contact/ Or call Levin’s Lansing office at (517) 377-1508

4.      Senator Stabenow – Email and postal contact center: http://stabenow.senate.gov/contact.htm or call her Lansing office at (517) 203-1760

Let President Obama know what you think as well:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

The Peace Education Center is in its 40th year of operation as a non-profit peace organization in Greater Lansing.  The PEC will be hosting a workshop on Palestine at the U.S. Social Forum national activist conference, in Detroit.  The workshop will be June 24, 2010 at 3 p.m. in Room 02-42 at Cobo Hall.