Peaceful Rally Calling for an Immediate Ceasefire Draws Large Crowd in Front of White House

In temperatures of 97 degrees Fahrenheit, approximately 1,000 people, of various religions and backgrounds, gathered on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House to call for an immediate ceasefire and peace in the Middle East. Protesters draped themselves in Lebanese, Palestinian, and American flags, others held signs demanding an end to the current violence in Lebanon and Gaza, and also for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestine.

At the start of the rally, the crowd gathered to listen to ADC President Mary Rose Oakar, HE Clovis Maksoud, Phyllis Bennis as several other speakers. Chants of "Free Lebanon, Free Palestine, Free Iraq" were heard during the event. The number of participants continued to grow until the end. While emotions ran high, the rally was a peaceful call for an immediate ceasefire and an end to the violence. See photos at http://www.adc.org


PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS

Arab American Institute

Pax Christi USA

Council for the National Interest

US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation

Jewish Voices for Peace

Students for Justice in Palestine-American University Chapter

Arab Student Association-George Washington University

United for Peace and Justice

DC Poets Against the War

Middle East Research and Information Project (MERIP)

CodePINK

Dorothy Day Catholic Worker

Women's International League for Peace & Freedom -- DC Branch (WILPF-DC)

Maryland Arab American Committee

Black Voices for Peace

Polytrade International Corp

Al-Fatiha Foundation

Arab Community Center USA (ACC)

American Arab Public Affairs Committee (AAPAC)

Marylanders for a Free Palestine and Secure Israel

Friends of Sabeel-North America

Wake-Up Ohio

Hedy Epstein - St. Louis, MO, Women in Black

Alliance of Egyptian Americans

Lebanese Student Organization at the University of Maryland (UMD)

http://www.adc.org/index.php?id=2857