Rally Re: Israeli Assault on Lebanon

Well there's a lot of people around here who are feeling upset, bewildered, and outraged by the whole situation out in the Gaza strip. Sure it's far away, but there are a lot of Vancouverites with connections and family in Gaza, plus more than a handful of people who haven't forgotten that yes, all of us are members of humanity, and are therefore concerned that the Israeli military is attacking, killing, and injuring hundreds of Lebanese civilians and their kids, under the auspices of digging out a handful of Hezbollah leaders. (This reminds me of the US bombing the hell out of Iraq chasing after Osama and a few of his buddies). Well just because the Hezboys went and kidnapped some Israeli soldiers, it doesn't mean you gotta vent on the entire country of Lebanon. Geez!

It's also worth noting that many Lebanese people aren't in the slightest alignment with the Hezboys, and many Israelis do not condone the attacks their country is carrying out.

Also back in town, people are gathering 'cause there's a lot of anger towards our beloved PM, since Mr Right-Wing doesn't seem to think that anything very inappropriate is happening. Despite that Canadians have gotten killed in the attacks. Despite how Israel has bombed the Beirut International Airport runways, bridges, and ports, all of which were basically being used by, you know, people. And fine, he wants to make sure that the American president sees him as a firm, upstanding, unwavering... all-American type of guy that he is, but hell, even Bush has now toned down his pro-Israel shpiel.

At any rate, people who are concerned about the whole complicated and charged scenario can find others to empathize with, commiserate with, and take action with this Saturday at the Vancouver Art Gallery. The rally is from 3 - 5pm.

Also, here's some quick facts on who's involved and what's their scoop, courtesy of the BBC.

Image by Krisztina, courtesy of Elise Is Far Away, from Monday's slient vigil regarding all the above.