the electorate and the candidates running for office. 48%hat do you attribute the hispanic turnout to in 2012? why is that the lowest when you look at the racial groups in the country? >> i agree with the other panelists and a lot of people have to ask themselves what is in it for me and they don't understand what is in it for them. you have to do more for them. we put on community forums and let them know what the issues are and candidates there will be more interest. and the other problem is people still believe their vote doesn't count or they vote for a certain proposition and they get mad hen it's overturned. i think it's keeping people more

infered and once they are more nfered they become more involved. >> they were going door to door and people didn't want to vote. they lost their homes. they lost their jobs. some of their friends were deported so we had to pull them out and is a it's important for you to vote. we did get them out to vote. but it was pulling teeth to get people out to vote. so proposition 30 in california, the reason we are now in the

state of california because we passed proposition 30. we passed a law that millionaires have to pay 3% more n state taxes. so we were able to bring in over $6 billion into the state of california. most of that went to education. how did we get that? go door to the door to get people to vote for that. and the people we went to to get at margin of victory it were voters that don't always vote. the immigrants who have just recently become citizens and people who didn't vote before. it can happen but it takes an awful lot of work to make it appen.

>> on the 50th anniversary of the civil rights act. i want to thank our panelists for helping us understand our role in a continuing effort to make democracy alive in america. >> tomorrow c-span includes coverage of the western summit in denver. he featured speaker was sara palin. >> these days you hear all of these politicians denouncing president obama saying he's a lawless president and ignores court order and changes laws and

refuses to enforce laws he doesn't like. that's true but the question is ok politicians what are you oing to do about it? let's call their bluff. i'm calling their bluff because we need a little less talk and a lot more action. there is only one remedy for a president who commits high crimes and miscommeen nors and it's impeachment. it's the i word. >> the western conservive summit on c-span tomorrow night at 8:00 .m. eastern. >> coming up a forum on trade and investment in africa. part of the u.s. africa leaders summit which began today in washington, d.c. in about 45 minutes an answer coalition rally to support the palestinian people and protest

israeli action in gaza. after that we'll reair the annual conference of the latino elected and appointed officials.

>> good morning, everybody. esteemed delegates, my name is mike frohman. i serve as the u.s. trade representative kirk year it on behalf of president obama asked trade representative. -- i serve as the u.s. trade representative. on behalf of president obama i welcome you. it takes face on the eve of the first ever u.s. africa leaders summit, the theme of which is investing in the next generation. this takes place just over a year before the exploration -- xpiration of a legislation authorizing agoa.

this meeting provides a unique and timely opportunity to discuss agoa, the u.s. africa trade and investment relationship, and how to develop both further. i'd like to open this by first thanking president kim and his colleagues at the world bank for hosting us here president kim has -- hosting us. president kim has dedicated his life to serving underserved occupation's worldwide -- nderserved populations worldwide. thank you for your hospitality. we look forward to working with you and your colleagues at the orld bank. let me turn it over to you. > thank you very much. i'm very happy to be here today with you. to launch these important

discussions on united states african growth and opportunity act. i will make two points before turning over to our keynote speakers. the first is a reminder that african countries have enormous potential to expand trade in order to arrive -- drive growth, reduce poverty, and deliver jobs companies must find the right approach is to take advantage of opportunities to greatly expand trade within africa and throughout the world. one opportunity is in the light manufacturing sector, which could help african countries in terms of industrialization, export diversification, and job creation. recent analysis from our group suggests that if this sector rose and in africa -- rose in africa as it did in east asia, it could create 7 million new jobs on the continent. expiration of agriculture and agribusiness is essential to -- exploration of agriculture and agribusiness is essential to reducing poverty.

agoa helps african countries diversify their exports and move away from dependence on minerals and commodities to reach more diversified and inclusive sources of export growth. agoa has played a key role in exploit -- in the apparel sector. it attracts foreign investments and generate new jobs. in madagascar are, thanks to agoa, apparel accounts for a larger share of exports than any other industry. my second point is that in order for african countries to realize their export potential and take full advantage of agoa, they must address several constraints. one is an infrastructure challenge. our studies show that the poor

state of infrastructure in sub-saharan africa, including electricity, water, roads, cuts country's economic growth by two percentage points each year and educes productivity by as much as 40%. there are training industries dedicated to the apparel -- there are few training industries dedicated to the apparel industry. policy reforms are needed to improve trade and competitiveness and support the development of competitive firms across the value chain's. we believe it will be critical to reduce barriers to regional integration of goods and the and investment. -- goods and services and investment. we are building regional economic integration efforts in both the great lakes and the -- egion of africa.

more intense immigration will give african firms the opportunity to exploit nearby markets, gain knowledge and experience, achieve economies of scale, and increase competitiveness in the u.s. and in global markets. a range of nontariff and regulatory barriers still raise the transaction costs and limit the movement of goods, services, people, and capitals across border -- capital across border. frica is integrated with the rest of the world faster than within its own borders. the cost of these regional trade barriers fall disproportionately on the poor. building better regional linkages means more than simply removing tariffs. it's about investing world -- real world change. we hope that agoa will continue beyond 2015. we also hope it strengthens so that africa's doors to trade with the world open even more widely. for that to happen, i urge you to focus your discussions on a few key proposals, including

increasing product coverage, relaxing rules of origin for non-apparel products, and recognizing the special needs of fragile states. this could ensure that agoa helps african economies expand their exports even more. we are committed to engaging -- to helping african firms use agoa and other trade programs to propel exports to the united states and across the world. it's my great pleasure and honor to welcome secretary kerry, who was my senator for years when i lived in massachusetts. dating back to at least 1990, he has been calling on the united states leadership and world leaders to promote international trade, specifically for africa. it is a great honor to have you here. we look forward to your remarks. >> president kim, thank you very much for your welcome. elcome to all of you here.

i appreciate the substance of your comments and i appreciate your generous comments regarding y privilege in being here. we are thrilled to welcome everybody here to this particular discussion and many others that are going to take face. i need to beg your indulgence at the beginning of my comments -- to take place. i need to beg your indulgence at the beginning of my comments because i have a series with so many presidents that i am beginning a marathon of meetings this morning, as well as trying to fit in the number of events that we have. know you will understand. i thank you for your tremendous

leadership of the bank and for hosting us here today. i want you all to know that one of the things i admire most about dr. kim is that wherever he has been in his life, whatever leadership role he has served in, this has been a man willing to challenge the status quo. that was true when he found innovative ways to deliver health care in the partners in ealth. it was true when he applied himself to finding new ways to provide care for hiv and aids at the world health organization. when i was in the senate, i did some work with him on that. it was true when he balanced the budget and led dartmouth through its critical transition. we welcome his leadership. what i think many of you may not know is that when he was in high

school, he was a quarterback. those of you who know american football have to just imagine what it was like for this young guy about 10 years after he arrived in america. he was facing down big miss what -- big midwestern linebackers. there is no better preparation for today's world and life than that. a few decades later, he was working -- revolutionizing how hiv and aids was going to be dealt with. i was in the senate. we were working then to try to find a way to create stronger trade links, particularly of sub-saharan africa. jim mcdermott, a former foreign service officer and member of congress at the time, we discussed creative ideas about how to break down barriers to trade, while at the same time lifting up the standards for governance and transparency. those -- the result of those early efforts was the advocate of growth and opportunity act

that president clinton signed into law in the last months of his presidency. for 14 years now, as michael fernwood said, this is the 13th meeting annually, but for 14 years ago has been one of the primary tools to push forward greater trade and investment in africa. it is working. we have seen imports from the agoa nations grow by 300%. whether it is coco and cashews -- cocoa and cashews or petrochemical products, agoa has served as a catalyst for greater trade and prosperity and has helped promote greater protections for the african workforce. we do have some of our own interests on the line here, too. i say it up front. agoa has made it possible for photo -- ford motor company to export engines duty-free -- south africa, where ford has invested over $300 million so they can supply engines worldwide. the efficiencies of that operation have allowed for it to create 800 new jobs at their kansas city plant as part of the lobal production line.

this is how it works. this is what africa is witnessing now. something like 10 of the 15 fastest-growing countries in the world are in africa. from day one of the white house, president obama's number one priority has been creating strong middle class jobs here at ome, but the president has always understood that the best way to do that is to strengthen our international economic ties and foster broad growth globally. everybody here understands how interconnected we all are. our populations are increasingly walking around with mobile devices.

everybody is connected to everybody every moment of the day. that is changing the way people think. it is changing their sense of possibilities and changing aspirations and changing realities of politics on the ground. president obama has said africa is a new center of global growth since 2000, banking assets have more than doubled. the telecommunications market has doubled since 2004 alone. we know that africa will have a larger workforce the name dior china -- workforce van india or china-- workforce than india or china by 2040. the increasing number of people who, because of today's interconnectedness, are demanding their part in the future. that is much of what is happening. it is young people that

motivated and energized the initiatives initially, because f their sense of desire, rustration for the possibilities of the future. it is time to build a more open exchange of ideas. o build our capacity for innovation. agoa is one of the best tools, vital tools for pushing forward the dramatic transformation we are seeing today in parts of frica. this is clearly a moment of opportunity for all africans. it is also, i say to you frankly, a moment of decision, because it is the decisions that are made or the division -- the

decisions that are deferred will ultimately determine whether frica mines the continents greatest natural resource of all, not platinum or gold or oil -- the talent, the capacity, and aspirations of its people. the entire administration wants to unleash the potential for the enefit of the people of africa and to create greater prosperity for the world. president obama has committed to that transformation. with a seamless renewal of agoa, the question is will we continue to create shared prosperity? for both the people of the united states and for africa and all the others who benefit as a consequence. that is the bottom line of what we are working to achieve today.

what we will work towards in anticipation of next year, in anticipation of the for him -- t he forum in gabon, is to achieve this goal. i say unabashedly we want and we will work hard to get more american companies to invest in africa. e also want more african companies to invest here in the united states, and there is no reason that they shouldn't. the fact is today africa is increasingly a destination for american investment and tourism. african institutions are increasingly leading efforts to solve african problems. all of this underscores that rheumatic transformation is possible -- that rheumatic transformation is possible -- that dramatic transformation is possible. collaboration can triumph over conflict. so, we know that our cooperation, all of us, is essential to promote economic growth that can be shared by all africans. i will say to you, fighting corruption is a definitive

critical part of that process. to do so will take courage. and yes, it sometimes means assuming risk. but fighting corruption lifts more than the country's balance sheet. transparency and accountability attract greater investment. transparency and account to be -- and accountability create a more competitive marketplace, marked by merit, not by a backroom deal or bribe. the market works better with transparency, with sunshine of ccountability. that's an environment where innovators and entrepreneurs can flourish, and i guarantee you it is an environment where capital makes a decision to move according to its sense of security and sense of risk. so, ladies and gentlemen, africa

can be the marketplace of the uture. africa has the resources, the capacity, the know-how. the questions africa faces are similar to those in countries all over the world. is there the political will? the sense of common purpose to address challenges? are we all prepared together to make the hard choices that those challenges require? we firmly believe, and i think you will sense, those of you who are here for the next three days , at the end of this summit, these meetings, i believe you will have a clearer sense of the fullness of the commitment of president obama and the obama administration and the united states to the notion that africa is a natural partner of the united states and vice versa. we believe that the united states can be a vital catalyst in africa's continued transformation.

it is exciting. the possibilities are and lists. we look forward to work -- are endless. we look forward to you to work to the fullness of those possibilities. i would like to reintroduce the person who opened this. he has been working on these things, the ties between united states and africa, for a long ime. with the treasury department, at the national security council, at citibank, and now as president obama's principal advisor on international trade, the ambassador. thanks, michael. [applause] >> thank you, mr. secretary. thank you for joining us. we are fortunate to have secretary kerry and the state department -- he has been a tremendous advocate for trade with africa and economic policy more generally. to the esteemed ministers from

ur partner countries, to those honorable members of congress, u.s. government colleagues, ublic and private sector supporters of the act, welcome. as i learned in africa, let me say "all protocol observed. we and our predecessors have gathered, representing more than 1.1 billion people, carrying many flags, speaking many languages for one reason -- the romise of trade. agoa is a powerful reminder of that promise. since it was enacted, agoa has been the cornerstone of u.s. trade policy with sub-saharan africa. the first full year of agoa to

the last, u.s. imports from agoa countries have grown threefold, more than $26 billion per year. nonoil imports have increased fourfold. agoa has contributed to the diversification and competitiveness of sub-saharan african economies and has supported hundreds of thousands of jobs across the continent. what this cannot capture is the importance of these opportunities for families and individuals. united states has benefited from agoa as well, not just in the stability of -- that comes with increased global prosperity, but also from the market opportunities that accompany africa's rise. since 200, u.s. -- 2000, u.s. exports to sub-saharan africa have increased fourfold. last year, they supported nearly 120,000 american jobs. s that grows, our economic

futures will become even more intertwined. indeed, africa's trajectory mitch -- means the theme, investing in the next generation, applies as much in the united states as it does in africa. our shared future will be brighter by an angola -- agoa that is not only renewed but improved. it will send a signal to purchasers of products in industries that are already making a decision about next year, in some cases many years in the future. if we are to renew our commitment, the more likely they will do the same. improving agoa is critical. despite the concrete benefits that agoa has brought to both of our continents, it is clear that more can and must be done. although not all exports have increased by four fold, last year's total of $5 billion remains small both in absolute terms and as a share of u.s. imports. while we are seeking countries start to branch out and use agoa for more products, there is

still much room to grow in nonoil, manufacturing, and value added products from agoa countries. improving agoa requires it adapt to the changes that occurred in the year 2000, applying the lessons we've learned, and anticipating where the current trends will take us. it is clear that the africa of 2014 is not the africa of 2000. many of you are moving away from unilateral references and entering into trade agreements with partners in the european union which require reciprocal access. we cannot keep agoa in isolation. we have conducted a review of agoa that asks not only how agoa was working him a but also how it fits into the broader arc of our trade and development policy. we relied on the input of u.s. and african stakeholders in the private sector, and among our findings, one observation is clearer than the rest.

we need to do more than focus on tariff preferences. agoa must be linked to a broader comprehensive and coordinated trade and development strategy. in our view, ago -- agoa must be linked slowly. we are looking for a compact supported by the industries and backed by international partners. today's next ordinary opportunity to begin filling in he details and begin towards trade, growth, and a moment. consider the challenges that many countries face and -- at borders and ports. corruption and gas and infrastructure can make the time associated with shipping twice that of coming out of asia or latin america. and that impinges upon the competitiveness of african progress -- products and development.

there is an opportunity to multiply the benefits of agoa through the wto. the historic trade facilitation agreementt,fa, allows standards for laminating red tape at the border. tfa includes pathbreaking abilities and deals with unique circumstances. and it allows for resources in support of those efforts, including recently announced tsa facilities at the wto. i applaud those who are among the 40 or so developing countries leading the way in implementing the tfa by announcing their so-called category a notifications. they are sending a powerful message. unfortunately commit a small number of the pto -- wto members have placed this in

jeopardy. i am working to make sure this effort does not go to waste and that the potential of this new agreement are not squandered. we also need to address problems with infrastructure, hard and soft, from the roads that nbcc builds to the development of airports and outraged -- and our trade and legislative support to double access to affordable, reliable electricity. we are focused on the deficit in hard infrastructure. and as usaid and the state department support trade facilitating and eliminating roadblocks both figuratively and literally, we are helping to

improve africa's strop -- soft infrastructure. we recognize the need for capacity building, including the strengthening of laboratories, training of inspectors, said african farmers and manufacturers can better meet the agricultural and technical standards necessary to export their products to global markets. and as the secretary said, there is also a need to build human capacity. africa is on the path to become the largest contributor to the world workforce by 2015 -- by 2058 and that requires equipping the next iteration of african exporters with the skills they need to succeed. i was honored to participate in a panel on entrepreneurship at the young african leaders initiative here last week in washington. and i'm delighted that some of the incredibly talented participants will be here with us today. the african women's entrepreneurship program andyali are two examples of not just taking resources out of africa, but investing in capital in

frica. an increased demand for agoa products, including working with regional actors and value chain. this is a whole government effort on our side and i know it can be really learning -- be bewildering and time to work with all of our different agencies. we will be working to create one-stop shop investment platforms that will work to bring advice, partnerships, and financing to agoa a artners. we have it in a fight for areas in which the score might be strengthened, so the beneficiary countries can better utilize and diversify their exports. as all of you know, it falls to congress to decide what changes ultimately will be made, but we believe in our review and your efforts to examine these

questions can greatly inform congress. first, agoa will be strengthened by its reauthorization timeframe that is sufficiently long to ensure project ability for producers, consumers, and investors. producers, consumers, and investors. second, there may be a value in revisiting the list of covered products under the program to see if we can add any new products. in 2006 for example, agoa was expanded to include 700 additional areas, mostly in textiles, which brought new markets in africa. we also need to keep this issue in perspective. the existing range of products eligible for duty-free treatment under agoa is already more extensive than any other u.s. preference program. almost all agoa beneficiaries duty-free access for all tariff

lines. there are only 316 dutiable terrifies out of a total of 2700. i will be consulting closely with domestic stakeholders in the coming months. third, there may be ways to streamline agoa's requirements to make the more flexible. these requirements are already very generous, including the broad third country fabric exception for apparel, but some limitations remain. removing limitations like those on accumulation of labor costs, or the percentage of u.s. content, could provide beneficiary countries greater flexibility and help integrate them into regional and u.s. supply chains. finally, it is important to update agoa's processes. both have her motive economic -- economic forms -- reform but neither has been significantly

upgraded. we believe the criteria can be strengthened to better promote open trade and broad-based economic growth, for example, by resolving barriers to trade and promoting fundamental worker rights. the review process can also be updated to allow for more effective enforcement, for example, by allowing partial and more timely withdrawal, rather than all or nothing withdrawal that goes into effect the year following decision. even as we discussed these changes, we must also use today's meeting to renew discussion about the future of u.s.-africa trade and investment relations. as africa's relationships with other trading partners evolve and other programs take into account of emerging economies, we need to assess the impact of our relations on africa and chart out a path for future development. today, we launched the official campaign for agoa's renewal. it enjoys broad-based and bicameral support.

we will be hearing from many of its congressional champions later this morning. we will work with all of you to impact the promise of agoa for africa and the united states. let me turn to my friend, the honorable deputy chairperson of the african union. both in that position and the secretary general, he has been a long-standing supporter of agoa and has testified before congress many times and shared his ideas about how it can be approved also i look forward to hearing his opening remarks on behalf of the african union and agoa beneficiary countries. thank you. [applause] >> thank you very much. ambassador michelson and well-done, president kim. the president, the african bank,

the ministers, excellencies in the region and economic communities, ladies and gentlemen, first, we pay tribute to the united states government for organizing this taking place one year before it is expired, and also for coinciding and -- coinciding with the historic u.s.-africa summit investing with the next generation. this summit presents an excellent opportunity to enhance the partnership between the africa and the usa. since its inception by congress and engagement by the administration and broad-based employment across africa, since

2000, it has been my wish to be an advocate for agoa. hence, like many in this room, i am aware of the potential for -- as a catalyst for africa and u.s. engagement. we hope to build investment and trade between the u.s. and africa. on this auspicious occasion, and as we seek to strengthen our partnership, let's reflect upon that each experience in the past 14 years is building toward the future. this should be done within the context of africa that is aspiring to be tasteful, integrated, and prosperous, and

based on inclusive growth. africa that will continue to be young and growing, and over the next decades a continent that inspires to enforce good governance and respect for human rights, justice and rule of law. in order to a compass this, it must invest in children, young people, and in their health, education, skills, and technology to produce productive citizens and to facilitate their voice and participation in society. it is for this reason that africa is pursuing a skilled separation to train thousands in all areas of human endeavors.

any post-2015 u.s.-africa cooperation must draw lessons from past remarks and build a new arrangement taking into account the current global economic environment. for example, unlike during the time when the first agoa was enacted, africa today hosts one fastest-growing economies. imagine a plan for trade and the continental free-trade agenda. .hese are just examples the milestones will be achievements in economic sectors such as infrastructure, industrialization, science and technology, food and nutrition, security, and so on. it is in this context that agoa should be viewed.

what have we learned from the implementation of the agoa since 2000? previous speakers have talked about what agoa has done as far as its impact on u.s. trade or foreign and direct investment and job creation. havets from the countries grown from a 8.2 million in 2001 to 26 million in 2013. during this same time, the performance of the sector improved and so did foreign direct investment. u.s. foreign direct investment stock in sub-saharan africa increased from $9 billion in 2001 to $25 billion in 2012.

and over 400,000 jobs created in africa and in the u.s.. the fulls cannot tell story in terms of the lives touched and changed. we also recognize that we could have done more. that is why it is important to share this experience on the positive aspects of confronting the challenges. in light of the above, we appreciate what you, ambassador roman, have just said, and the commitment to look at supply-side constraints, such as the need for capacity building. we agree on the need to address specific trade provisions, such as product coverage, place of origin eligibility and support , for regional integration.

indeed, product coverage under agoa particularly in the case of , ldc's, there is limited additional coverage over and general system of preferences. market access for a number of products, such as tuna, sugar, tobacco. the continued presence of high tariffs outside the limited tariff quotas. it remains a key concern for africa. it is also evident that the tariff preference is not enough for africa to penetrate the global and supply-side system. the low utilization of agoa

arises from high cost of doing business, and low productivity of labor. addressing these issues requires, among others, increasing investment into -- in africaproved and the rest of the world. addressing these challenges will enable africa and the u.s. to have a partnership with significant benefits for africa and the u.s. the eu and its member states continue to call for investment, , so that improved agoa investment with emphasis placed on a reliable, secure business will inspire investors' confidence. that will complement the efforts

of african countries and bring transformational change in their economies. support of integration efforts, especially on critical infrastructure and transportation will enable the speed of integration on the continent. it will increase the business to business and people to people exchange in the u.s. of africa -- and africa. it will provide for mechanisms to monitor the implementation of jointly-agreed actions. ministers the global , trading system is undergoing significant change. the advent of trade agreements within the context of an uncertain development agenda will affect the ability to enhance its share of global

trade. it is therefore within the context of our partnership good to find ways to exchange notes on these important issues. in conclusion, the litmus test of the partnership would be in its ability to improve quality of life, including the safety and security of the people of the united states, africa, and the rest of the world. external risks and shocks we face, such as climate change, conflict, and other conditions, can be better managed through a dynamic partnership of equals bills on a common heritage, values, and aspirations. finally, let me quote an african proverb that says, "if you want to go fast, run along. if you want to go far, go together."

our partnership is to build a strong foundation that will guarantee better quality of life for these and future generations, which is what agoa is about. i thank you for your attention. [applause] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2014] [captioning performed by national captioning institute] u.s.-africa summit continues tomorrow morning on c-span 2 at 9:00 eastern. after remarks by former new york mayor michael bloomberg, former president bill clinton will moderate a panel that includes the heads of general electric, dow chemical, and walmart. the coverage of the summit continues on c-span just after 11:00 eastern with national security advisor susan rice leading a discussion with the heads of ibm and coca-cola. secretary of state john kerry will discuss issues facing africa with the presidents of tanzania, senegal, tunisia, and rwanda, and president obama will address the group in the afternoon.

in a few moments, and answer coalition rally to support the palestinian people and protest israeli in gaza. in an hour and a half, our coverage of the annual conference of the national association of latino elected and appointed officials, including a panel on the latino vote in the midterm elections. the group also heard from california governor jerry brown and labor secretary thomas perez. the answer coalition, composed over more than 100 antiwar and civil rights groups, held a rally near the white house to support the palestinian people and protest the israeli action in gazza -- in gaza. speakers included cornel west and alan mccracken. this is an hour and a half.

>> brothers and sisters we are going to get started here, here with our rally here, and we are going to have some amazing speakers from all over. and then we're going to margin bring our message to the streets of washington and the war makers themselves. i represent the answer coalition, i'm going to be one of the cochairs here today. there will be several of us here going back and forth and introducing speakers, and before we go any further i want to introduce my cochair who came all the way from new york to be a part of this. [applause] >> free, free, palestine. free, free, palestine.

[speaking foreign language] sisters and brothers i am so happy to be here with you today to introduce our next speaker. our next speaker is the executive director of mass immigrant justice center. please welcome her. [applause] >> thank you for being here. it's years ago i asked president obama directly, what you intend to do about the palestinians? he said do whatever i can to ensure peace.

to this day, the israelis and the palestinians live in different worlds and gaze of the same land. through the eyes of the palestinian, he sees that the israeli world is one of steady progress. the eyes of the israeli he sees death and occupation unless he is blind. the chances are that the children of what the west bank and gaza were born without a father, or a brother. every day he becomes aware of what was taken from him through the television. he sees the multiplying wonders of israeli life, more homes, more education, but he cannot have any of it. then he is told that he lives in a democracy. what can that mean to him? he cannot experience the freedom of others, nor should we expect him to feel grateful because he is allowed to build settlements

in order to feed his family, and he has not been imprisoned. and thus he is told to treat his condition and make a better life for his children. he is denied the most fundamental need, the need for an identity. recognition as a citizen and a man. there in gaza, violence is born and bred. the palestinian with anything to divide himself and yet he continues to fight. so we will ask, why does he continue to fight? because the angry palestinians are not fighting because he is poor, or because he is hungry, or because he is denied hope for his children, he is fighting to assert his worth, and dignity as a human being, and to tell his oppressors that though they may hate or scored his descent, they must still respect his power and his willingness to never give up. let obama know, you let obama know his support for israeli forces will not prevent change,

change will come. new ammunition will further the israeli campaign but change will come. that change will occur when the israeli government acknowledges the palestinians as people, not as aliens in their own land. change will come when the israelis learned that their own children's future cannot be built on the misfortune of others. change will come will see when their lives are not enriched by hatred or occupation. the lives of the palestinians may be cut short, but the power of their conviction is too strong to die. last, the president can deny this change, or work to make the occupation come true. if he denies it, he to is spreading conflict, this roaring -- destroying liberty while diminishing the ideals of america. if he chooses to end the occupation it will take work, the choice will be to free the palestinians, to end the fears of the children, to heal the wounds, and to choose real

peace, the only piece that will last, peace with justice. thank you. [applause] >> she came all the way from north carolina had brought people with her, we appreciate that and we need every voice we can get to say free, free, palestine. long live palestine. free, free, palestine. long live palestine. brothers and sisters we are honored to have a lot of amazing speakers with us here today, and next i want to bring up someone who was very amazing in what they put on the line of what they bring to the struggle and to this fight. i want to bring ray mcgovern, who is a a highly decorated former cia official who is standing in solidarity with the

people of gaza. please welcome ray mcgovern. [applause] >> free, free, palestine. free, free, palestine. i am about the carnage in gaza right now. and i'm thinking about the prophets. my favorite contemporary prophet said indifference to evil is worse than evil itself. there are times when not all of us are guilty, but we are always responsible. our government is enabling this massacre, and we have to stop it. the other prophet who comes to mind is a fellow named isaiah.

some of you may not realize that isaiah went around stark naked for two years. biblical scholars say he was not clear that he was always naked, just during liturgical services. that does not get the man off the hook, does it? what was he saying. what he was saying is look, you criticize me, you say you're stripped of your garments, i say to you, you are stripped of the vision with which you were blessed, a vision of justice and shalom, and that is much more reprehensible. i see us here as determined not to cooperate with that evil, and not to be in different, but rather to be promoters of that same vision. i have a confession to make. two times within the last eight years i voted for an ngo.

it means no guts obama. [applause] remember when he made that speech in may of last year, the one that they infiltrated here at the national defense university? he was conflicted, he felt a story about the drones and guantanamo. is that who we are? that is not who we are. what is with this we? it may not be who you are, but it is not who we are. there are many of us who were involved in occupy here in washington, new york, and other cities. they put some of us in jail.

now the idea is that we need to occupy the jails. what are they going to do? arrest us? people say that is not really smart, even ralph waldo emerson criticized henry david thoreau for doing that. what are you doing in jail? he said, the question is, what are you doing outside the jail? later today i will be joining him with several of my colleagues. i invite you to join us because sometimes you have to put your body into the machine to stop it and to stop it. [applause] >> a round of applause for ray mcgovern. our next speaker is a chairman of i can believe, usa.

>> my dear brothers and sisters, because time is short and we have to achieve a lot, i wanted to ask a few simple questions. 1600 people died, 9000 people severely injured. more than 9000 houses demolished. houses, hospitals, u.n. centers, schools, bombardment. who is the biggest terrorist in this one? answer me. which one is the biggest terrorist? who is the biggest security challenge and threat to america?

israel. which country makes america most unpopular throughout the world? which country destroys the u.s. security pact? which country makes the most enemies of the usa? my dear friends and sisters and brothers and all the non-muslim community, i welcome you here. i want to start with the koran. [speaking foreign language] whatever you do, as a follower of the prophets, you will do to

success. a few things before i finish, my brothers and sisters. we gather here. shame to cnn, shame to bbc, shame to washington post. shame, shame, shame to fox news. god bless social media. god bless all of the civil rights people. funding --ing, stop stop providing them the arms. my tax dollars in your tax dollars are being used to kill

my own children. i cannot tolerate this. thank you very much. [applause] >> thank you for being here. next brothers and sisters i want to bring up another great speaker, the national coordinator of american muslims for palestine. >> thank you. thank you palestine supporters. a war criminal machine has been unleashed. yet a just cause has arisen. palestine will be free, gaza will be free, gaza will be standing tall, gaza will be victorious. what we want is for washington to be free.

what we want is for our president to hear our demands, for our president to respond and be responsible for the people who elected him. what we want is for elected the congressman to be and answer to the people who elected them. what we are here for us to demand an end to the monopoly on the foreign lobby that is acting as an agent to a foreign country, over our foreign policy. all of these crimes are being committed in our names. all of these crimes are being committed by our money, are being committed by american made weapons, and we are the american people who refuse to stand for this. we refuse to stand for colonialism. we refuse to be led by a state

that is dependent upon the united states. it is us who gets a lifeline to israel, not the other way around. it is not up to netanyahu to tell our president that it is none of our business. it is not up to lieberman to tell our secretary of state to get out of here. that is what he was basically told. our secretary of state is the secretary of state of the superpower, it is our superpower. he should not be insulted by a full state that depends upon us. we are demanding now, we are standing here in solidarity with palestine, but also we are standing to tell our elected officials enough is enough. enough is enough.

this war machine has to come to an end. killing children and playground should not be committed in our name. killing civilians is not what america stands for. if our president cannot stand up to israel, then he should give back the rights that he was given for doing nothing. mr. president, mr. president, this is our call to you. either you live up to your promises, either you live up to the hope you promised us, and you promise to the world, or you will become another president who has failed and will continue to fail because you do not have the spine to stand for justice. thank you. [applause] >> not justice, no peace. give another round of applause.

our next speaker is a man who needs no introduction. brother cornell west. [applause] >> we want the world to go forth right now i know that we love the brothers and sisters in gaza. we are here out of a deep love for our precious palestinian brothers and sisters who are undergoing not just occupation, not just domination, not just humiliation, but more and more every day an annihilation and we will not stand for it. we will not stand one minute for it. i come to you in the spirit of the love of john coletrain, my brother tried to tell the truth a long time ago, and we know that's true this to allow them to speak just as we have an unapologetic love for those who

with unbelievable condition under occupation. we want an end to occupation now. i have come to you also in the spirit of the black prophetic tradition of frederick douglass, wb the boy, martin luther king jr., malcolm x, and they say benjamin netanyahu is a war criminal not because he is jewish, but because he has chosen to promote occupation and annihilation. this is a human affair. any human being who chooses occupation and annihilation is a war criminal, and especially when they're killing precious

palestinian babies. a palestinian baby has exactly the same status as a white baby and newtown, connecticut, as a brown baby in eastside l.a. as a jewish baby in israel. every human being is made in the image of god. we want the world to know that and know it well. we know the history of the catastrophe. we know the history of the 750,000 who were pushed out of 416 villages. we want that story to be told. let's tell the truth. let's tell the truth in such a way that we are honest and open. no anti-jewish hatred here, and

anti-occupation here, anti-annihilation of anybody here, this is a universal affair. it begins with our precious palestinian brothers and sisters whose humanity is rendered invisible in the stories told. we want to shatter all the lies. there is a connection between between lies and crimes against humanity. what i want to say to my black brother in the white house -- barack obama is a war criminal not because he is black or half african and white but because his drones have killed 233 innocent children and because he facilitates the killing of innocent palestinians in gaza

and the west bank. that would be true anywhere else. i'm going to be honest with you before i sit down. i would be here if there was a palestinian occupation of the jewish brothers and sisters. because it is wrong, unjust, and we stand not with skin pigmentation or the ethnic identity. this is ethical. this is spiritual with political consequences. that is why we doing knowledge the need for resistance under conditions of occupation and annihilation and the killing of any innocent civilian is a war crime. with 1600 and counting, that is israeli state terrorism and -- in action.

this jewish racism, it does not speak on behalf of all of the jewish brothers and sisters who have a choice to say we are against occupation, we are against annihilation. stand up together, free palestine, let gaza live. >> free, free, palestine. free, free, palestine. free, free, palestine. free, free, palestine. free, free, palestine. free, free. free, free. free, free. brothers and sisters let's give it up for brother cornell west one more time. now i want to bring up someone

whose courage has inspired me every day. someone when they saw the criminal invasion of iraq in resigned their3 position in protest. they stand up against injustice every day. colonel ann rice. [applause] i work for the u.s. government way too long. i was 29 years in the u.s. military. i was a u.s. diplomat for 16 years. my of the elements i put in resignation letter was the unbalanced policies of the united states and israel and palestinian issues. they have become even more unbalanced more favoring the , israelis everywhere. the attacks on gaza, massive attacks. this is not a war. these are military attacks. no way to defend.

the palestinians in gaza are like fish in a barrel. there's nowhere for them to go, nowhere for them to hide. the israelis are just picking them off one by one with the agreement of the united states of america. it is up to us as the citizens of this country to keep going after president obama and the state department and our congress to say we are horrified about the level of u.s. support for israel. that israel can act with impunity, but we say no, no to israeli impunity. no. no. no. no, no, no. and we also, we say the only way that there will be these there is to end the siege of haas up. -- end the siege of gaza. end the siege of gaza. end the siege of gaza. end the siege of gaza. thank you.

>> another round of applause please. [applause] a quick announcement. karl, if you were in the audience,, the stage. -- netanyahu, you can't hide. we charged you with genocide. netanyahu, can't you see? palestine will be free. palestine will be free. free, free, palestine. end the occupation now. free, free, palestine. occupation as a crime. please welcome the national coordinator of the coalition, brian becker.

[applause] >> sisters and brothers, all around the country and all around the world people are standing together in solidarity with the people of gaza. the u.s. corporate media used to be able to conceal the crimes committed by the israeli defense forces, paid for by u.s. taxpayers, but now the images, the horrific, gruesome images are coming through all kinds of international media and social media, and they can no longer conceal the fact that the israeli government policy has never been about peace. it is only about a relentless

war against the indigenous palestinian population, with the idea that under enough pressure, with enough bombs and enough missiles, with the siege that goes on until people cannot feed themselves, cannot get medicine for their children, cannot travel, cannot see their loved ones, have to endure all the indignities of racism and occupation, the israeli government idea and strategic concept is that the palestinian nation and people would disappear. because what people could possibly withstand decade after decade after decade of that kind of treatment?

what we see today, even though the israelis have succeeded in imposing great suffering, they have killed 1500, 250 children and babies. even though they succeeded in that the israelis have failed, , they have defeated because the palestinian people will never stop resisting. and when they resist, and as they resist -- as the palestinian people resist the y become a magnet for support. all around the world right now people are standing with gaza. all over the united states there is a change taking place. the american people no longer want to have their taxpayer

money go for genocide against palestinians. among the jewish american community, especially the younger people, they no longer see israel as the last refuge following the holocaust. they see israel as a privileged nation that is pursuing a colonial policy of racism and -- and death and and more and more jewish americans are saying no, not in our name. [applause] this is the strategic defeat of the u.s. and israeli plan, and we just have to look back for a historical analogy. the same thing seemed to be true about south africa's racist apartheid government.

that they had all of the guns, missiles, and bombs. the world rose up. the world rose up. the world rose up to say not one more nickel or dime for racism or apartheid. the apartheid government came down, and that is what will happen with palestine. [applause] we are going to hear muslims, christians, jews, people of different political persuasions. we have formed a very broad coalition, and today is not the end at all, but the beginning of a new day. a mass movement, a grassroots movement, and we will turn the tide. thank you very much. let's gaza live, free palestine. >> free, free, palestine.

free, free, palestine. free, free, palestine. brothers and sisters, we're going to hear next from a very powerful speaker who has a very personal message, one that needs to be heard by people around this world. i will not say too much more than that. the winter introduce the legal director of the department of civil justice, and his son. welcome them both. [applause] >> good afternoon sisters and brothers. i am really pleased and proud as a parent to be here with my nine-year-old son, who knows that gaza must be free. i am thankful that every night he goes to sleep securely, peacefully.

he does not have to worry about hellfire missiles can be does not have to worry about m-16s, he does not to worry about waking up and having his apartment building destroyed around him. that is not the way it is in gaza today. the civilian population in the gaza strip is under direct attack. there is nowhere to turn, nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, nowhere a father or a mother can protect their family. entire families have been killed. children watch as their parents suffer in death. parents, greece dicken, find their precious family slaughtered. hospitals, clinics, the united nations places of refuge have all been targeted. the israeli government has declared its military the most moral army in the world. such arrogance, such a perversion, no words could be

more cynical or further from the truth. israel is to intentionally targeting civilians, a war crime, a crime against humanity. the law does not say you may target civilians in your home is send them a text message 80 seconds in advance or knock on the roof with a warning shot. the law says you may not target civilians. israel cannot convert unarmed civilians into targets for death with a warning or a text message that say they are coming, they are armed and on their way. let me speak personally for a moment. i will disregard some of the remarks i had prepared. about the law, disproportionate use of force and war crimes. i want to speak not just as a lawyer, but an american jew. when i was in hebrew school, they taught us that the jewish people were to be a light unto the nations.

if the israeli army acts as an instrument of terror, raining death and destruction on innocent gazans, using pinpoint weaponry to slaughter unarmed civilians by the scores, when i was in hebrew school they also taught me that palestine was a people without a land. that was a lie. hundreds of palestinian villages were lost and destroyed. millions of palestinian refugees are without land and without a state. look at them huddled in gaza. those who will label any criticism of israel as being anti-jewish. and this is not true. criticism of israel is not the same thing as being anti-jewish. [applause] my jewish education taught me that it is the silence of good people in the face of inhumanity that allows evil to be perpetrated. my jewish education instilled in

me the precious value of life of all humanity, that while we should not suffer, we should not kill. we as jews have to confront the lies of the israeli state, reject the myth and false nurturance of zionism, -- false narratives of zionism and openly , re-examine the root causes of the problem that we have created. we must reject the dehumanization of the palestinian people. the brash valuing of israel life as more than any other. the jews were the victims of the monstrous atrocities of the nazis, but there is nothing in the whole experience of the holocaust that gives them license to do such atrocities against the gazans. they killed children, entire fallacies -- entire families, mow them down and destroy them as a people. i care very deeply for my jewish

people and for the physical safety, the moral integrity which is lost day and day again. as a jew, i long for the day which, in as air is passed -- eras past, muslims, jews, and palestinians coexist. -- and christians coexist. and so israel must end the illegal siege and blockade of gaza. where do i stand as an american jew? i stand with the gazans, and their heart ache frustration, , and anger. as an american jew i stand with them as they say that could be no peace without justice, and -- end the blockade. i stand with the gazans when i condemned the israeli army for his terrorism, it's war crimes, it's inhumane atrocities.

as a jewish american i am doubly , obligated because i know that the israeli military strength comes from the billions in defense and aid that pours in from the united states. here we are, right in front of the white house. president obama, i implore you, stop the aid to israel. we are paying for the f-16s, and the hellfire missiles. we are paying for the indiscriminate artillery for the , tanks that target schools and refuge and safety. we are facilitating the slaughter of the gazans, we are complicit. president obama make it stop. , [applause] we stand together at this historic demonstration, muslims, christians, and jews, all

sharing our common humanity, a longing for justice, and together as one voice we demand let gaza live. free, free, palestine. let gaza live. [applause] >> sisters and brothers, please welcome the national director of the american muslim alliance. [applause] >> you sound wonderful. you sound wonderful here in washington dc on behalf of the people of gaza and palestine.

right now i want introduce, we have a lot of speakers and things going on. i want to let you know that we have thousands of postcards being distributed on the behalf of the american muslim alliance. it is addressed to obama and it does not say yes, we can. it says yes we will end the occupation now. please take these cards, and right now i want to take the opportunity to introduce another person who needs no introduction whatsoever. he is my brother, he has been in the forefront of civil rights and civil or liberties. i want to introduce the executive director, he is here because he cares. no pun intended. he represents the council american muslim relations. [applause]

>> good afternoon. peace to everyone who is listening and watching. thank you for coming. thank you for traveling to washington dc. and thank you all who are watching c-span today at other networks. this should be a historic day for america. this should be a historic day for people of conscience. i am utterly disturbed as a muslim, as a palestinian, as an american, to see my fellow

palestinians being slaughtered every day with my tax dollar money. i am upset with my government because my government does not represent the values of america of peace, justice, and wally for , -- equality for all. ladies and gentlemen, this carnage and slaughter at the hands of the israeli defense forces should the called the israeli offensive against civilian population forces. this brutal government has been slaughtering innocent populations knowing that it will be targeting innocent civilians. knowing that it will be hitting schools, and hospitals.

knowing that the biggest casualties will be among the civilians. so why is the majority of the casualties civilians? there are three possibilities. number one, they had bad equipment, which i doubt. second, the soldiers are a bad shot, which i doubt, because they are trained. they have an official policy to target civilian populations. i believe that is the policy. to target civilian populations. according to the definition of terrorism, any use of force against civilian populations to achieve political aimed, that is the definition of terrorism.

that is why some latin countries have claimed israel as a terrorist state. [applause] ladies and gentlemen, you know that the polls have shown that the american public does not support this carnage. why? because they see powerful images of children being murdered. they see limbs, they see schools being flattened, they see you in u.n. schools- being bombarded. they know that america never signed up for this. they know that this is in defiance to what we stand for as americans. even media commentators started to shift because they started to speak truth to their audience. why? because of social media. anyone who has a cell phone is an independent media outlet.

that is why the power of the images, the power of the civilian population, the faces of the victims have overwhelmed the world. that is why you see new voices from the jewish community, the media except fox news. , no news, it is only fox views. fox news should be ashamed of themselves because they should serve the american public, not the israeli public. things are moving, the american people reject this war against the innocent population of palestine. but why is our administration in full support of the actions of the israeli government? why congress is voting to send more arms to the state of

israel? why is that? that is the question, ladies and gentlemen. those who are watching nationwide, congress is acting in defiance of its mandate to the congress people of the u.s.. were elected by the people created -- people old. . why our elected leaders are taking action on the state of israel, not america. blunt but also with all of you. vent butme here and this is not good enough. what is needed to be done, we

need to tell our members of congress that they have latched allegiance to the constitution of the united states, not the state of israel. ,nd therefore we ask the world our -- we have to hold our leaders accountable. it is our tax money that is going. , this scourge is being committed in america's name. paid to stay out but israel is being supplied with american f-16s. this does not speak for make money this does not speak for the majority of americans. that is why i'm asking you after this rally to call your elected representative to hold them theuntable and not accept

bond. aipac should [inaudible] of the united states congress. they have corrected our foreign policy. they have corrupted our clinical leaders. to speak theirrs party line. not speak their conscience. the mic was not studio he said, it is a hell of a 10 point operation. that israelclaim was not turning the population. this is the truth that our appointed leaders when they are -- they speak the truth when

they are to themselves. i want them to be free from the party line. i want them to re-pledge the legion -- their allegiance to america and american values. see this number, save it. if you want to save gaza, save this number. call this number. this is the white house number. 202-456-1111. please call the white house. express your the satisfaction with this policy. tell them and demand that they stop the blockade. learn more about our organizations create more thistantly, contact website. the american people should know more about this issue. website for people to

learn about the facts and to counter the lies and the propaganda of the pro-israel lobby. thank you. peace. >> free, free palestine. someone who is not afraid to put their body on the line. someone who was arrested last week. representing code pink. >> if you have been in the streets protesting for palestine make a noise. my name is allie mccracken. toare based in d.c. working get our government to stop funding wars and occupations. we are honored to be out here

with all of you. amazing solitary activists. we have been protesting at the white house for years and protesting in the halls of congress. we have been protesting at the state department. we have protested at john kerry's house. just the other day some people were arrested at the israeli embassy and we brought people to protest in gaza, in tel aviv, and the west bank. do we do next? what do we do when the massacre is over? how many of you have heard of the boycott investment and sanction movement? an international movement to get israel to stop occupying palestine and lift the siege of gaza. i code pink we have our own what -- campaign called stalin stolen beauty.

not only using her tests and petitions, not only have we gotten stores across the world the store hasut had to shut down in london. and the air to the disney fortune has invested $12 million. as it gains traction across the world and has a huge impact, surely israeli apartheid will have to crumble. inis up to all of us to be the streets standing up for palestine because we know our governrnment is not going to be the one doing it. since we stand for human rights and dignity we know that we are on the right side of history. free, free palestine. >> free, palestine.

>> free, free, palestine. thank you. back sisters and brothers, our next speaker is an activist with students against israeli apartheid. she is an activist with the [inaudible] network. >> today we stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in palestine. as the number increases and our anger and sorrow deepens we find ourselves asking what can we do and how can i help? -- [inaudible] today our generation has been deeply affected by the zionist narrative and the language that has been imposed upon us. we are made to relief that we must track for peace rather than

justice. to replace [inaudible] with endless negotiation. we are -- they are trying to soil the word we hold sacred. these words will always be sacred because they belong to the oppressed. they empower us and strike fear into the hearts of cowards. where people of resistance and we need to rebuild our cultural resistance. we did not trade our right of return for adventism. -- [inaudible] still in the streets exercising their right to resist colonial domination. we must program the language we use to describe our struggle. by surrounding to the language of peace we have handcuffed the means by which our people can resist. we open the door for the world's most violent country to

criticize our tools of liberation. and being mindful of our language we will protect and reinforce our narrative and for this reason, resistance in this country will start with the town -- tongue. that weade to believe must separate our nationality from other identities. this is a symptom of repression. it doesn't matter if you are an academic, health care provider, an athlete, or a professional. be its intore to our dna. destroy the cost boundaries that divide your identities and keep e light on your tongue. why is it that we have the facts and righteousness on our side it are for traded as the aggressors -- portrayed as the aggressors? zionisthad the

narrative so imposed on us we have reinforced it. there's a thing intellectual about compromise your beliefs. we are told to talk about our right to resist and that it should be kept at the dinner table. we have to sit back and listen to the constant affirmation that israel has a right to defend itself. the zionistson entity gets away with this ludicrous rhetoric is because they are not willing to deviate from their narrative and because we plan audience to it. we must resist the zionist entity at every turn. they must know their presence is not welcome. anywhere that values justice. i do not care what the setting maybe. there's no room for it a diversity of our opinions -- diversity of opinions on human rights. cultures of resistance foster

accountability. if you support the death and destruction of another people then you should be prepared to face the consequences. zionist and city is trying to extinguish our hope that they do not realize that with every bomb dropped and bullet fired the fire in our heart grows hotter. that fire is going to reach a point where they can no longer be contained and when that happens we will euro off the yoke of corneal role in religion will be reduced to ashes. some of our brothers and sisters would be the rated eye appealing to those in the state apartment that -- state department. no oppressed people have ever been liberated by the state. the state is inherently repressive way it's very nature. we may be standing in front of the white house but i am not here speaking so obama may hear me. obama did not do anything for black kids in chicago and will not do anything for our kids in

palestine. a call for palestine to be light on your tongue. this is a call to reclaim our narrative. this is a call for the annihilation of mental colonization. this is a call for the quality of all and the supremacy of none. >> thank you. from students against israeli apartheid. given what -- give it up one more time. i want to bring up next someone who is integral in putting this rally together. thank you. peace, peace.cry but there is no peace.

is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? forbid it, almighty god. me liberty or give me death. me just say some people are little upset. be careful, do not criticize the president. you may not get invited to the to me tell you something. i do not care if i never go to the white house if a palestinian cannot live and safe -- safety and dignity and liberty in their house. i do not care. i do not care. you cannot buy my dignity for

some rice and lamb and thomas. -- humus. standing and we are standing with what dr. king said. he said, this is the coward may ask, is it safe? pop -- conscience will ask is it right, is it right and we said no, it is not right. it is not right. decades thex palestinian people have known nothing but oppression and disposition. it is not right and we're going

to stand up today. we're going to stand up and we will say that indeed that we have a right to stand up and say in the occupation -- and the occupation now. the occupation now. will be brief and say to you that we are going to raise all the forces that we have here. we're going to raise the voices of jewish communities, muslim communities, christian communities, non-religious affiliation communities. we will raise all voices. we will lift every voice and saying. facing the rising sun for our new date has begun. until palestine is free and victory is won. free palestine.

free $. -- palestine. i have the honor of introducing our next speaker. all the way from new york city. the philippine and the rest of worker organization. please welcome lidia. >> [indiscernible] i am a filipina domestic worker

antitrafficking celebrity. and a trafficking survivor. we are here [indiscernible] and call it for what it is. israel is funded and supported by the u.s.. we are migrant workers from the philippines. as nannies and housekeepers and caretakers for the elderly. we have been forced by u.s. imperialism. forced to go abroad .

ago philippines were history ofour exportation [indiscernible] with the palestinian people. our hearts go out to the who areian people resisting u.s.-israeli occupation. end massacre in gaza. an israeli occupation. from the rivers to the sea.

palestine will be free. do not be afraid. thank you. [applause] >> want to remind you that american muslim alliance has these postcards we will send to obama. out.nt them to go and the occupation. without citing this postcards. thank you and free palestine.

>> brothers and sisters, you cannot see it but i can see it. we are starting to fill up the park on all sides going all the way back. i will tell you what else. i got a text message that said they are on the metro on their way here with a train full of people coming to join this protest. we are only getting stronger. we have to let our other brothers and sisters get here to be part when we march. i want to bring up a great friend of mine. a strong fighter in this struggle. bice chair of the national black united front. free palestine.

if the government can send money to bomb palestine they can send some money to detroit and southeast d.c.. i have been fighting for years to -- for self-determination. and the right to control their land. free palestine. but power. >> others and sisters the next person i want to bring appear is a very powerful brother. someone who has turned against the evils of this country that they are waging wars all over the place. he is an iraq war veteran. representing the party for

ocialism and liberation. free, free palestine. free, free palestine. thank you. like eugene said, i am a member of the pfl. i want to tell you a story about how i ended appear and i want to tell you the story because right now there is a shift happening in the u.s. where people who never thought about houston before, who never thought about the conflict before are joining us in the streets, joining us in .heir words and conversations knowing what is happening is a crime. we never would have imagined they would take that position. 2003 lakesack in amid people who joined the military. i grew up like everyone else theeving we were told country was formed by the people. we were about helping the

oppressed. i believed that. i believe that when we are going to rack and they were telling us things like self-defense. when they're saying things like terrorism, words that israel uses. the -- it to iraq and had to think about what was happening. as people started fighting, as people started resisting i had to ask myself what would i be doing? our officers, our commanders, the politicians what they were telling us that they are resisting because they're terrorists. because they are evil. because they are less than human. i thought, what would i do if it was my home, if it was my country, if it was my family that was destroyed, it was -- if it was my brother that was killed. if i was there i would be resisting to. they have the right to resist. when people are occupying

resistance is justified. people are occupied resistance is justified. this was not for freedom and democracy. they wanted to control the entire region not for us but for corporations and oil companies through violence and domination. that is why they support israel. when they cannot justify why it is because they want to control that region so they use that to do it and we can stop them and this is stopping them. we must stay fighting. rex we holding on for a few more people to join us. we will bring up a couple more great speakers. now representing veterans for peace.

hello, others and sisters. i am a u.s. military veteran that has been lied to. many of us have been lied to. i'm also a jew. that government does not represent me. that u.s. government which has lied to us and is complicit in murder. complicit in war crimes, does not represent me and neither does the state of israel represent me. i just came from the veterans for peace national convention in north carolina. i am very proud to say that we passed a strong resolution in support of palestinians in gaza. i want to read you a couple is bitterness and -- as veterans who have witnessed the horror for we are deeply outraged i the state of israel's slaughter on innocent civilians in gaza. like this girl who lost her

entire family when her home was bombed by israel. and young children like this have been orphaned if not killed and injured. it is horrible. veterans for peace joins millions around the globe who were shocked by the one-sided slaughter. we call on israel to stop the slaughter now. power to the people. free palestine. free gaza. next thank you for being here. fax on behalf of the palestinian american council and its 11

chapters want to welcome you all here. we have come across these united states to be here to tell the obama administration that we must stand up against occupation. we must stand against oppression. we must stand against injustice. we must stand against apartheid. have come with bleeding hearts. with tearing eyes, with bewildered minds and streaming souls at the tragedies committed i israel. we are consumed with anger and frustration and indignation. this white house allows israel to defend itself but does not recognize that the palestinians

have an international right to it resist the occupation. relaxed that no one in conference thee claim that it is occupying palestine and gaza. paris --el controls palestine's territorial airspace, land, and see, it is occupying palestine. they must -- they cannot claim self-defense from those that it occupies. free, free $. >> i want to bring up carol gay. andood afternoon, sisters

others. people. greetings from new jersey. i am here representing the labor network and we are proud to be here in support of the palestinian people. we are here to speak up against injustice. silence is complicity. we will never remain silent in the face of these are in this crimes against amenity. these brutal were crimes. thedeath toll has surpassed death toll of operation [inaudible] words are insufficient to express our sorrow, our anger at the atrocities being committed against palestinians. i'm sure all of you have been crying tears of rage, two. tears of rage. we understand that israel's massive assault is not about defense, it is about the annihilation of the palestinians.

annihilation which has been going on for decades. as workers we are here in solidarity with all palestinians in gaza and the west inc. and with palestinian refugees scattered around the world. we are here especially to denounce loudly the u.s. government unquestioning support for israel. blind supportg for israel is immoral and illegal. u.s. imports as to the world that the u.s. has a shocking disregard for human life and for international and humanitarian law. how can the u.s. stand by and watch the killing of innocent children on the beach, the shelling of hospitals and u.n. schools, the bombardment of homes and mosques, killing entire families. the destruction of power plants and water supplies. the indiscriminate attacks are nothing