al awda protest

OK, I'm calm enough to talk about this...

On Tuesday I went to one of the many counterprotests that SF Voice for Israel holds. What was different about this one, as opposed to the ANSWER ones? I directly faced hate.

I've heard the stories, I've seen it on Zombietime...but I've been pretty lucky thusfar. Sure, I've seen some kids trying to cross the street and get at us (one tried so many times that he was finally arrested), I've seen a few signs...but this was pushing my limits.

Truthfully, I put myself in the situation. For awhile, I stood right accross from their front lines...with a police barracade and a few feet of space separating us. An elderly woman making obscene gestures and shouting obscenities. No biggie, she was clearly crazy. Those brainwashed ANSWER kids, with their stupid hats and vests that make them look like traffic crossing guards, chanting stupid slogans like "from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free." Annoying, but whatever. Teens screaming at us in Arabic. Not so bad at first..until you learn what it means. Redemption through blood. The Palestinian flag up front had a fist dripping blood. The young man holding it also had a boy on his shoulders who looked to be 6, smiling along with them. They were filled with hate. When our looks were horrified, their looks were smug. When I asked for peace, they barely responded...and continued with their hateful words. I couldn't stand it. I had to leave the front lines. The most effective thing, truthfully, was talking to people. There were pro-palestine supporters on the other side of the street, separated from the haters...a much more peaceful bunch. They were willing to compromise. I actually knew some from green party business. Nice people. Those I didn't know were interesting to talk to...they were shocked when they figured out that I wasn't a neocon..."but Bush supports Israel?!" Oh, San Francisco, where shallow liberalism in the form of Bush hating replaces the fashion of LA as trendiness.

When I got back, I found out that there were more disturbing chants
Itbakh al Yahood
Kill the Jews

So, it's happening again. Once again, al-Awda organized, same time, same place. Except this time it's right before the al-Awda conference, where haters are shipped in from accross the country. What a bunch of fun! Well, this time, hopefully our tactics will be different. And hopefully I'll be able to ignore the hate.

I don't think anybody reads this blog, but just in case...for those who can make it to San Francisco next Thursday:
http://www.al-awda.org/events/san-francisco.html