Updates from the WILPF Week of Action

People spoke against Israel’s attack on Gaza.  WILPF Southern Piedmont member Steven Smith spoke at the rally. Credit: Layna Hong/WFAE

by George Friday

December 2023

Hear about what actions branches took as part of International WILPF’s Week of Action. From November 9-15, branches organized vigils, demonstrations, rallies and public actions to draw attention to the attacks in Gaza.

International WILPF called for action from November 9 to the 15 for members to organize feminist actions against genocide in Palestine, inviting all to mobilize globally to call for an immediate ceasefire and a two-day arms embargo on the transfer and provision of military equipment to and from the state of Israel.

From the Statement on WILPF website:

The situation in Gaza demands urgent attention and action, as the escalation of Israeli hostilities and the mounting attacks on Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank and within Israel continue to grow in gravity and magnitude. It’s time for a WILPF Week of Action: let’s mobilize globally to call for an immediate ceasefire and an embargo on the transfer and provision of military equipment, including arms, to the state of Israel. 

Here are highlights of actions taken by Branches in the US in the past few weeks:

Southern Piedmont Branch

On Thursday, November 4 about 100 students at UNC Charlotte attended an evening vigil Thursday in support of Palestinian lives lost in the Gaza Strip. The rally was organized by student organizations, including the Palestinian Cultural Organization and Muslim Student Association.

Fannie Low Hamer Branch

On November 9,  the Fannie Lou Hamer Branch kicked off the Week of Action with an action at a location in Columbus, GA where many passing cars could see them again with a small number of members. 

Des Moines Branch

On October 10, the Des Moines Branch held a public rally at night with a handful of Branch members. 

Greater Phoenix Branch 

Greater Phoenix branch members joined forces with several other groups to participate in several demonstrations on street corners and at Arizona State University. Attendance has been as high as over 1,000 people. They also leafletted at or near public events, including sports, cultural, and arts events.

They are now turning their efforts to working with the Palestine Solidarity Committee, an umbrella organization, on making the upcoming visit of Rep. Rashida Tlaib a success. Since the original venue was canceled, the many groups involved in planning have worked to find a secure venue and to insure Rep. Tlaib's safety, as well as the safety of attendees. 

Participating groups include a variety of ethnic-oriented organizations, political and religious groups, as well as both Arab and Jewish groups.  The location is not being widely publicized, in an attempt to avoid a chaotic situation.

Peninsula/Palo Alto CA Branch

The branch holds silent vigils, in the Quaker tradition, where their signs speak for them.

On October 8, emails were forwarded to members from the PopularResistance.org announcement, as well as signs and banners to protest the war.

The first vigil was held on October 13. After  the announcement that Israel told the U.N. that all of northern Gaza should evacuate to the south (many of them under fire), all members and/or supporters were asked to consider wearing black at the next vigil in mourning for the loss of life on both sides of the conflict. Wearing black was in reference to the Israeli women in the first intifada, who wore black and became known as the Women in Black.  

On November 11, the coalition member group MVPJ (who supported the vigil at the beginning of the war in Ukraine) organized an evening candlelight vigil calling for peace in the Middle East, with an estimated 150 in attendance.

On Monday, November 13, branch members attended a vigil organized by Palestinians at  Palo Alto’s Representative Anna Eshoo’s office, with statements read and recorded by her staff, and a peaceful march around the block. Our vigil signs and ‘Wage Peace Now’ banner were on display. Branch member Cherrill Spencer, one of the co-chairs of the U.S. DISARM/End War committee read to the group of about 60 the  U.S. WILPF statement calling on the U.S. Congress to “act urgently to prioritize the protection of civilians…loss of life …serious violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law,” with other stipulations. The event closed with testimony given by one a member of WILPF Palestine on the overwhelming injuries and suffering in Palestine and Israel’s genocide and ethnic cleansing.

These vigils continue every Friday. On the 17th, they were joined by a contingent of local climate activists from Fridays for Future, who have joined past vigils on other occasions against nuclear weapons and to support the TPNW, as a nuclear accident, or detonation, could lead to nuclear winter, the ultimate climate change event. .

Humboldt Branch

The Humboldt Branch hasn't been doing vigils, but they have been regularly calling their local congressman and senators.

The branch also was involved in a local community radio show about peace, that included reading poems about peace. The poems included one by a local Rabbi and several by Palestinians and Palestinian-Americans.

The branch is currently working on making an appointment to talk to our congressman in person, probably in mid-December.  We're planning to talk about Human Rights Day and other issues.