Heavy machinery is seen on the Egyptian side of the border with the Gaza Strip December 22, 2009. Hamas and other militant groups called on Egypt on Tuesday to stop building a steel wall along the Gaza border that could block tunnels through which goods and weapons are smuggled into the blockaded Palestinian enclave.           REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

The goal of the march is to “break the siege,” call for an end to the Israeli occupation, re-open Gaza’s borders and to distribute much-needed supplies to the poor, beaten-down civilian population ahead the winter months.

The historic plans for the march almost hit a major snag on Sunday, Dec. 20, as the Michigan Peace Team, a supporting organization of the march, was informed by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry that the Rafah border crossing into Gaza would be closed through January due to “escalating tensions” in the area. The closing could have stopped the march, but an outpouring of support through e-mails and phone calls from supporters along with letters from Canadian, German, Swiss, French, Greek, and Filipino members of Parliaments and the Irish Minister of Defense came in to Egyptian embassies around the world, leading to a reversal of the decision.

The border crossing is now deemed safe and the humanitarian march is expected to proceed as planned, according to a press release from www.gazafreedommarch.org.

Michigan Peace Team coordinator Kim Redigan was thankful for the immense outpouring of support in the days leading up to the march.

“It is heartening to see the goodness of the international community as it stands in solidarity with the people of Gaza who are marching for freedom and human rights and the kind of justice that brings about peace,” she said. “It is great to see people of conscience joining the Gaza Freedom March by organizing in cities around the globe, including Detroit.”

Palestinian refugee and activist Yusif Barakat speaks in Dearborn at a Dec. 2 dinner for the Gaza Freedom March.

Barakat headed to Cairo for Gaza Freedom March

Barakat, who is 74 years old, said life was difficult for him as a “12-year old shepherd boy who couldn’t speak English” when he landed on Ellis Island back in 1947.

But despite the challenge of having to pick up the pieces and start a new life in America, he has thrived. Barakat served as Oakland County Commissioner, ran for U.S. Congress and works as a psychotherapist.

“The most frightening thing that hit me as I was looking up at the Statue of Liberty and all those tall buildings was that I’m going to spend the rest of my life fighting for justice and peace,” Barakat said.

“But I’ve been holding the banner of peace ever since I’ve been here.”

Barakat had his passport mailed back to him in the late 60’s with his hometown listed as “Haifa, Israel,” but fought to have it changed back to “Haifa, Palestine,” which was eventually allowed. The passport situation is just one example of what Barakat feels is a concentrated effort to erase memories of the old country.

“They’re trying to obliterate our history, like Palestine never existed,” he said. “I get so frustrated because Americans are so in the dark about the occupation, but we’re doing this march to raise awareness and understanding.”

Solidarity Rally in Dearborn

In concert with the Gaza Freedom March, Dearborn will be the site of one of many solidarity rallies across the globe on Dec. 29. The event will begin with a vigil at 5:30 p.m. on the steps of Dearborn City Hall before moving inside of the Lebanese American Heritage Club nearby. Also included on the evening are a performance by hip hop artist Invincible, remarks from renowned pro-Palestinian activists Adam Shapiro, Huwaida Arraf, and Barbara Harvey of the Jewish Voice for Peace Organization. Breakout sessions begin at 7 p.m., in which attendees can learn from activists about implementing boycott and divestment strategies regarding Israeli products, how to effectively express their concerns to politicians and how to promote awareness for the Palestinian cause.