Press Releases
CAIR-Houston to Join Rally Protesting Israel’s Killing of Palestinian Civilians, Ethnic Cleansing, and Apartheid
(HOUSTON, TX, 5/21/2021) – Tomorrow, Saturday, May 22 (from 12-3 p.m.), the Houston office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Houston) will join local Muslim and Palestinian-led organizations at Galleria/Post Oak and Westheimer Road in Houston to protest Israel’s killing of Palestinian civilians, ethnic cleansing, and apartheid.
SEE: Israel and Hamas claim victory as fragile ceasefire holds
In a statement, CAIR-Houston President and Chairman of Board of Directors John Floyd said:
“A cease-fire is a bare minimum and not enough. We must press demands that America no longer ‘unconditionally supports’ the Israeli government’s use of occupation, violence, apartheid governance on the Palestinian people. We demand that our elected officials halt all U.S. aid to the government of Israel, which is used to commit human rights abuses and violations of international law.
“We continue our call to local media to honestly and equally cover the occupation and the rallies and protests that raise awareness of the human rights violations in occupied Palestine. This is not a ‘conflict.’ It is a violent occupation and struggle for the independence, dignity, and freedom of the Palestinian people.”
“Muslim American Society of Houston (MAS Houston), wants to express support of Palestinians who are being forced out of their homes, wrongfully imprisoned, and trapped under rubble by the Zionist settler-colonialist project. MAS-Houston is peacefully protesting and calls upon every Houstonian of conscience to do the same.” said MAS Houston General Secretary Amjad Muhtaseb.
ThePalestinian Youth Movement in a statement said:
“We are excited to be a part of the resurgence of the power of our youth and the diaspora in our struggle. We will remain committed to continuing our work and will never allow them to count on us to relent.
“Our people in Gaza have valiantly defended the Palestinian people’s right to self-defense in the face of Zionist attempts to “mow the lawn.” Our youth in Jerusalem have defended Al-Aqsa and our religious sites from Zionist encroachment.
“They have defended their homes in Sheikh Jarrah and resisted the persistent onslaught of Zionist settlers there and across all of Palestine, from al-Lid to Nablus.”
ICNA CSJ in a statement said:
“We all stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people. We stand for human rights. We appreciate the ceasefire, but the ceasefire is just a band-aid. We call for a complete end to the systematic bloodshed & violence against the Palestinians, and most of all the bombings of Gaza every few years. We call for Free Free Palestine, and Free Free Palestine NOW.
“Our US tax dollars should never be used for killing the oppressed people, and our elected officials at all levels are accountable for this. The time to act is now.
Come out and show your support for the oppressed people of Palestine & Free-Free Palestine NOW.”
“The University of Houston Muslim Student Association (UH MSA) is a staunch advocate for Palestine and has consistently partnered with Students for Justice in Palestine at UH for years to support our Muslim brothers and sisters around the world. We strongly encourage our members to take part in the protest for Palestine this Saturday in Houston and to continue to take action and speak out on this absolute injustice,” said UH MSA President Mishal Siddiqui.
Human Rights Watch: Abusive Israeli Policies Constitute Crimes of Apartheid, Persecution
https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/04/27/abusive-israeli-policies-constitute-crimes-apartheid-persecution
CAIR’s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, proteger las libertades civiles, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT:
CAIR-Houston Director of Operations Ambreen Hernandez, ahernandez@cair.com 713-838-2247, CAIR-Houston President and Chairman of Board of Directors John Floyd, Attorney, jfloyd@cair.com, (713) 224-0101
