by ISM Hebron, February 1st
Today at 2pm ISM Hebron held a teach-in at the Tel Rumeida checkpoint in Hebron. The kids learned about Martin Luther King Jr. and his successful non-violent struggle for the freedom and civil rights of black people in the United States. We compared the situation of black Americans during segregation to the lack of freedom for Palestinians, particularly in the area of Tel Rumeida where they cannot drive, or walk around freely and are subjected to ID checks and house invasions.
After the history lesson, the children were given the opportunity to create t-shirts with Dr. King’s famous quote, “Freedom is not voluntarily given by the oppressor, it must be demanded by the oppressed” in Arabic, Hebrew and English.
Soldiers who were observing and waving their guns around on nearby roofs were invited to join the lesson and make their own t-shirts, however none of them joined. One t-shirt was saved for a soldier but attempts to give it away to various soldiers were unsuccessful.
AP photo
After the demonstration, the weekly art classes continued at the Tel Rumeida community center where the lesson and t-shirt creation was repeated. At one point soldiers drove up and ordered the kids to go back into their homes. Apparently Marin Luther King is too subversive for the Israeli Occupation Forces.
Today was the third Thursday action in Tel Rumeida. Last week a rally was held at the checkpoint and the previous week local residents attempted to walk down Shuhada Street.
AP photo