I've recently returned from Washington where some 30,000 people gathered to march around the White House demanding an end to the Israeli assault on Lebanon and Palestine. I spoke with a member of the police who said the permit was for 10,000 people but that many had already gathered over an hour before the event even started. I walked into Lafayette Park to hear the angelic voice of Fairuz blaring out of the loud speakers onto the White House grounds, filling the streets of the American capital.

It was unbelievable. So many people there from so many different backgrounds. I saw a priest carrying a large wooden cross with the Palestinian flag hanging from one side and the Lebanese flag hanging from the other. There were Lebanese and Palestinian flags everywhere and a couple from Iraq and Iran. I actually saw flags from Venezuela, Italy, South Korea, Cuba, Qatar, Pakistan, the United States, Uruguay, Puerto Rico, Afghanistan, and Columbia as well. Sunnis, Shi'ite, Protestants, Catholics, Orthodox Jews, Reform Jews, Atheists, and Buddhists all together for a common purpose. We listened to several speakers including Ramsey Clark. All spoke about how unjust this dual war was and condemned the Bush administration for it's unwavering support for Israel. The speakers called for continued action on behalf of Lebanon and Palestine until both were free of oppression.

During the early part of the speeches, there was a large commotion in the masses beside me. Although I couldn't see for all the people, I could hear someone had arrived and it was causing a stir. Then, I saw a group of about 15-20 Rabbis come to the main stage area holding signs condemning "Israeli War Crimes" and "Zionism is Terrorism." This was unexpected but everybody applauded at their presence and support of Lebanon and Palestine. They are Orthodox Jews who believe, as the Torah teaches, that there can be no state of "Israel" until the Messiah comes and makes it. As the last speaker a Shi'a imam stood up and spoke about the unjust crimes of Israel but stated our conflict isn't against the Jews. The Jews are our allies as you can see by those who've joined us today! he said to thunderous applause.

We then moved to form the march and saw so many flags, and signs, and posters. We heard chants all throughout the march; "Bush and Hitler are the same, the only difference is the name!" and "Bush, Bush, you will see; Lebanon will be free" and "From Beirut to Palestine, occupation is a crime!" among others. We started marching but stopped almost immediately as the police moved in to stop a group of about 15 pro-Israeli counter-demonstrators began shouting support for Israel. We moved past them and slowly marched around the White House by the Washington Monument chanting as we went by. It was a beautiful day so there were many bystanders around watching as we went by. Many were curious but others shouted their support.

It was an amazing experience to see and hear all of the signs of support for these two countries. It is without a doubt one of the most memorable events I've ever been a part of. I could write a small book on my experiences of that day alone but I'll save that for later posts. In the coming days, I'll post pictures of the event and will tell the story that goes along with each one. God bless Lebanon and Palestine!

- Eric/Amir

- Z -

On August 12 at 7 am, we will gather in Martyrs’ Square to form a civilian convoy to the south of Lebanon. Hundreds of Lebanese and international civilians will carry relief as an expression of solidarity for the inhabitants of the heavily destroyed south who have been bravely withstanding the assault of the Israeli military.
- For the full details refer to the post on August 9th.

Today, Finkployd is in the convoy and will be keeping us posted live, as cell coverage allows. STAY TUNED!

2:02pm Heading back to Beirut. Just passed by the fuel tank that has cause the oil spill. It's still smoldering but entirely empty. All the oil has made it into the sea.
1:42pm: So Saida is a ghost town. The highway that goes through is destroyed. We passed by Mhattet el Shawerma, it's shuttered closed. Heading back to Beirut.
1:05pm: We are in Saida. Just before the stadium. The bridge into Saida has a massive hole in it. Clean through.
12:57pm: Passing by Voile Blue right now. The bridge is closed due to huge crater. Going by sea. It's a ghost town.
12:43pm: 20 meter deep 50 meter wide crater on highway right above Jiyeh beach. Still heading South.
12:26pm: It's over. We're heading into Saida. Traffic moving at a good pace.
11:52am: There is a full on confrontation going on with the internal security forces, we are still trying to get through.
11:41am: We have decided to turn back on foot. Carrying the aid on our backs to Beirut. The police are getting irritated. They have called up reserves.
11:30am: Might be a while before we get moving again.
11:11am: It's total chaos. We have essentially blocked the road with our convoy. UN trucks are trying to get through and army aid trucks are coming the other way. Chaos.
10:59am: We are stuck in Haret alNe3meh. The road is blocked by the Lebanese Internal Security Forces. We are trying to get clearance.
10:35am: huge crater, in the highway, had to divert to side roads through villages.
10:30am: A convoy of 50 cars has just left beirut, we have passed the airport. We are now in Doha. Just traversing the first highway diversion where the south bound road is destroyed.

-finkployd

Note: Times are given according to the Lebanese time zone (which is 7 hrs ahead of Eastern Standard Time).

Red line below shows progress. Lebanese map obtained from Mideastweb.org.


Lets hope they will be safe.
-Z-

This coming Saturday the 12th is the day to show your support for Lebanon.
Lets make ourselves heard!

A huge rally will be heald in Washington DC, USA at 12PM in front of the White House (Lafayette Park). Main organizer of this protest is: A.N.S.W.E.R Coalition

There will be a buses heading over to the rally from Atlanta and Boston for those who would like to join.
If you'd like to get on these buses please act ASAP

Atlanta Bus
Leaving on: Friday, Aug. 11 at 8pm.
From: Perimeter Mall parking lot adjacent to MARTA station.
Returning following the end of the march and rally. Expected arrival in Atlanta will be early Sunday morning.
Cost: Cost per seat is $75. Subsidized seats are available. Reservations are required.
Contact e-mail: Atl4Aug12[at]yahoo.com

Boston Bus
Leaving on: Friday, Aug 11 at 10:30 pm
From: The Boston commons on Charles St. intersecting with Beacon St. http://maps.google.com/
Returning: Saturday at 6pm.
Contact email: yahelmy[at]yahoo.com
Cost: 48$ / passenger

For those of you who cannot make it to DC here is a list of other demonstrations around the world

- USA | Seattle | Federal Building - 2nd and Marion | 12:00pm
- USA | Los Angeles | Olympic and Broadway - Downtown | 1:00pm
- USA | Atlanta | In front of CNN Headquarters - Marietta Streeet. | 12:00pm
- USA | San Francisco | Civic Center | 11:00am to 1:00pm
- USA | San Diego | Balboa Park | 12:00pm
- USA | Portland, OR | Candlelight vigil - South Park Blocks by Smith Hall - Portland State University | 7:00pm
- Scotland | Edinburgh | Foot of Middle Meadow walk on the Meadows and march to City Centre | 2:00pm
- Canada | Ottawa | Parliament Hill | 11:00am
- Canada | Toronto | Rally at Israeli Consulate - 180 Bloor St. West - March to US Consulate | 1:00pm
- Canada | Winnipeg | Federal Building - Main and Water | 1:00pm
- Switzerland | Geneva | Place Neuve | (TBA)

http://www.saveleb.org/demonstrations.html

France | Paris Protest

Demo in Paris - Place du Chatelet on Saturday August 12 at 3:30 pm
-Nada

USA | Denver Protest

Begin at the Denver City & County Building (off of Civic Center Park, where the colorful holiday lights are hung in December).
There will be a sign making gathering at 10:00 and the rally launching the march will begin at 10:30 AM at the East side of the City & County building and will proceed to the "top" of the 16th Street Mall (Broadway & Colfax), and then will proceed down the Mall to Arapahoe street
-Leila

USA | Raleigh Vigil

CANDLELIGHT VIGIL SATURDAY NIGHT Saturday, August 12, 2006, at 8:00 - 10:00 pm
The Triangle Lebanese Association will hold a candlelight vigil in front of the NC State Capitol Building in downtown Raleigh.
-Ranya

USA | Orlando Protest

Demonstration being held in Orlando, Florida U.S.A
Saturday August 12,2006 @ 6 P.M.
Orange County Regional History Center
65 E.Central Blvd (Downtown)
-Wink

Germany | Berlin

We will meet outside the Rotes Rat Haus at 15:00hr ( 3pm)... Let us send a signal around the world that violence is no answer and that we stand with you good people in Lebanon and against tyrrany.
-Helena

If you have any other news concerning other rallies taking place around the world this day, or buses heading from other states towards DC, please email z.bloggingbeirut@gmail.com

Here is an article from the New York Times I found posted on July2006waronlebanon.blogspot.com/.

I just want to say its refreshing to know that in this world full of uncertainty, some things never change (no matter how many children die, no matter how much devastation occurs)...

Israel asks U.S. to ship rockets with wide blast,
David S. Cloud, The New York Times, August 11, 2006

"Israel has asked the Bush administration to speed delivery of short-range antipersonnel rockets armed with cluster munitions, which it could use to strike Hezbollah missile sites in Lebanon, two American officials said Thursday.
The request for M-26 artillery rockets, which are fired in barrages and carry hundreds of grenade-like bomblets that scatter and explode over a broad area, is likely to be approved shortly, along with other arms, a senior official said.

... The rockets, while they would be very effective against hidden missile launchers, officials say, are fired by the dozen and could be expected to cause civilian casualties if used against targets in populated areas.

... The United States had approved the sale of M-26’s to Israel some time ago, but the weapons had not yet been delivered when the crisis in Lebanon erupted. If the shipment is approved, Israel may be told that it must be especially careful about firing the rockets into populated areas, the senior official said.

... While Bush administration officials have criticized Israeli strikes that have caused civilian casualties, they have also backed the offensive against Hezbollah by rushing arms shipments to the region. Last month the administration approved a shipment of precision-guided munitions, which one senior official said this week included at least 25 of the 5,000-pound “bunker-buster” bombs.
Israel has recently asked for another shipment of precision-guided munitions, which is likely to be approved, the senior official said.

... The M-26 “is a particularly deadly weapon,” Bonnie Docherty, a researcher with Human Rights Watch, who helped write a study of the United States’ use of the weapons in the 2003 Iraq invasion. “They were used widely by U.S. forces in Iraq and caused hundreds of civilian casualties.”

Read Full Article

If you're a concerned US Citizen please go to the following link provided by Julie that tells you more about who is in charge of approving the shipment, and who to call to try and change their vote. ACT NOW, LETS FLOOD THEIR PHONE LINES...
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO ACT NOW!!


-Z-

Global Webcast, Saturday, August 12 2006, 15:00 - 19:00 PM CEST [--> 16:00 - 20:00 EEST] http://beirut.streamtime.org
Outraged at Israel's ongoing aggression on Lebanon - which since July 12 2006 has killed over 900 people (mostly civilians), displaced nearly one million people (1/4 of Lebanon's entire population), and wrecked Lebanon's infrastructure and economy - we say:
khalas! enough!

We call for an immediate end to the violence and destruction. We call on the international community to open its eyes - and on you to make your voice heard.

With our fellow activists, artists and other bloggers in Lebanon - and input from Iraq - we will produce a collaborative global webcast on Saturday August 12, from 15:00 to 19:00 Central European Summer Time (CEST) / 16:00 to 20:00 p.m. Lebanon time (EEST) ...

... The Global Webjam will consist of an audio and video stream, and feature live interviews and conversations, video clips, cartoons and blog blurbs, soundscapes, DJs and VJs, a lively mix of information, art, protest, party and reflection...

...We see this as a precedent for future collaborations - to create a platform fitting the spirit of Beirut, in defiance of war, and in search for solidarity.

We shout out for our friends in Lebanon and elsewhere to contact us if they want to join, share, participate in and contribute with their recent experiences and productions.

Contact the team in Amsterdam with all your questions, suggestions, contributions at: beirut@dischosting.nl
If you are in Lebanon and you want to contribute you can also contact Tarek in Beirut: atouitarek AT yahoo DOT fr mobile: +961-3-190985
If you have material to contribute please upload it to our ftp server: ftp://dischosting.nl (username: upload password: streamtime)
Skype: streamtime-khalas | cileland | jo-streamtime Chat: freenode #nida Telephone: +31206279661 (Solidarity Fund X-Y)

This event is funded and facilitated by Solidarity Fund X-Y and initiated by Streamtime.
-http://beirut.streamtime.org

- Z -

The full report:
"Lebanon Humanitarian Emergency: USG Humanitarian Situation Report #14 (FY) 2006"
-Source USAID August 8th, 2006
- Z -