“Give them their homeland back. Give them their right for self-determination” – Abbas Bazzi

DEARBORN – Community organizations and activists are urging Dearborn residents to support the Palestinian uprising that some are calling the third Intifada by attending a rally at the Henry Ford Centennial Library Sunday, Oct. 18 at 5 p.m.

Al-Awda and the Palestine Right To Return Coalition are among the organizers of the demonstration in support of Palestinians’ resistance to Israeli forces. Violence in the country has escalated over the last two weeks, with a spate of attacks from both sides. 

Many young people have been involved in the situation, such as 13-year-old Palestinian Ahmed Manasrah, who was shot and taunted by Israeli authorities as he lay bleeding on the pavement. Video of the incident went viral, and Israeli police claim the boy and his cousin stabbed two Israelis and ran away, prompting the shooting. 

Abbas Bazzi, who worked with Abbas Hamideh and others to coordinate the rally, hopes it will “bring attention to the fight of the Palestinian people.” 

The U.S. government should pressure the Israelis to stop oppressing the Palestinians, Bazzi said. 

“Enough’s enough. Give these people rights. Give them their homeland back,” Bazzi said. “Give them their right for self-determination.”

Similar rallies will take place across the country, Bazzi said, including one in Cleveland. There will also be a pro-Palestinian protest in downtown Chicago on Sunday.