From the office of the GENERAL SECRETARY
International League of Peoples’ Struggle
Postbus 475, 3500AL Utrecht, The Netherlands
Tel: +31 30 8895306; Fax: +31 30 2322989
gensec@ilps.info; ilp515@runbox.com; www.ilps.info
MEMORANDUM
TO: ALL CHAPTERS, ILPS COMMISSIONS, AND MEMBER-ORGANIZATIONS
DATE: 14 MAY 2017
FROM: General Secretary, International Coordinating Committee
SUBJECT: Call to hold solidarity actions in support of Palestinian political prisoners on hunger strike
MEMO: Palestinian prisoners enter 28th day of hunger strike in Israeli prisons
On Sunday, 14 May, 2017, Palestinian prisoners entered into the 28th day of hunger strike in Israeli prisons. 1500 Palestinian prisoners launched the strike on 17 April, Palestinian Prisoners’ Day, for a series of basic demands, including: end to the denials of family visits, proper health care and medical treatment, the right to pursue distance higher education, and an end to solitary confinement and administrative detention, imprisonment without charge or trial.
Events and actions took place around the world to support the striking prisoners on 13 May: In Berlin, two large protests commemorated the 69th anniversary of the Nakba and expressed support for Palestinian prisoners. In New York City, the Nakba Day March for Resistance and Return braved the rain one day after Samidoun in New York organized a protest for Palestinian prisoners. In Toronto, a wide coalition of activists took to the street days after the Canadian Labour Congress issued a resolution in support of the prisoners’ hunger strike. In London, two protests also took the streets to remember the Nakba and highlight the struggle of Palestinian prisoners. Events also took place in Los Angeles, Tucson, Anaheim, Dearborn, Clifton, Ottawa, London, Bristol, Glasgow, Milan, Genova, Mersin, Wuppertal, Neuweid, Vaxjo, Gothenburg, Malmo, Cagliari, Dublin, Nice, Montpellier, Frankfurt, Rome, Auckland, Montreal and Madrid.
On Sunday, 14 May, protests and actions in support of the prisoners are scheduled in Vancouver, Malmo, Manchester, Donegal and Lurgan, while Monday, May 15, will mark a day of national action in South Africa, where a growing list of prominent officials will join a one-day strike. Activists in Australia are also organizing a day of action.
In response to requests by Samidoun and other member organizations of the International League of Peoples’ Sruggle, the ILPS calls on its members and allies in all countries to actively organize and/or participate in protest and solidarity actions to support the prisoners, rallying at Israeli embassies and consulates and other appropriate locations.
These actions around the world will help to underline the global support for Palestinian political prisoners in their struggle for freedom, and the struggle of the Palestinian people for liberation. Flyers and posters can be downloaded at the Samidoun website: http://samidoun.net/
Also see ILPS website:
Please forward photos and information about the actions (including statements) to the ILPS website administrator.
In solidarity,
— Malcolm Guy, General Secretary
