Palestinian and solidarity activists working for the freedom of Palestinian prisoners have called for an international day of action to free Palestinian prisoner and hunger striker Samer Issawi on Monday, January 7, 2013. Janua
ry 7 will mark the 160th day of Samer’s hunger strike, demanding his freedom.
Samer Issawi, a former prisoner released as part of the prisoner exchange on October 18, 2011 that freed 476 other Palestinian prisoners on the same day, was arrested only eight months after his release, accused of violating his release by leaving the municipal boundaries of Jerusalem; he was arrested, and is accused of being, near the village of Hizma, inside the borders of Jerusalem municipality. He faces an additional fifteen years in prison if he is convicted in Israeli military courts (with their 99.74% conviction rate) of leaving Jerusalem while remaining within its borders. Learn more about his case.
Samer launched his hunger strike on August 1, 2012. He has now been on hunger strike for 160 days, and urgent action and international attention are needed to support his struggle!
The day of action includes a global hunger strike, and protests in New York, Washington DC, Philadelphia, London, Padova and Cairo.
The action will be preceded by a Twitter Call to Action 12 hours before the global hunger strike begins – at 9 PM Palestine time, 7 PM London time, 2 PM Eastern Time and 11 AM Pacific Time on Sunday, January 7. Tweet for #GlobalHungerStrike for Samer Issawi and join thousands of supporters to help that “trend” in order to draw attention to Issawi’s struggle!
Action details:
New York City
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/309799149138323/
Monday, January 7, 2013
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Protest at Israeli Consulate, 800 2nd Avenue (at 42nd St) in New York City
Washington, DC
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/188059974673422/
Monday, January 7, 2013
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Rally at Dupont Circle, Washington, DC
Philadelphia, PA
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/267693583358677/
Monday, January 7, 2013
2:00 – 5:00 pm
Call-in and write-in from 2-4pm at the Friends Center of the American Friends Service Committee, 1501 Cherry Street. Following this, flyering in the Center City area.
London
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/393097630780455/
Monday, January 7, 2013
12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Public Fast and Hunger Strike, by the steps of St Martin in the Fields Church, Trafalgar Square, London
Paloma
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/426928227378281/
Monday, January 7, 2013
5:00 pm
Piazetta della Garzeria, Padova
Rally for Samer Issawi and Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike
Cairo
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/148496605299781/
Monday, January 7, 2013
6:00 pm
Gather outside the League of Arab States building, Cairo
More resources on Samer Issawi
“I will not withdraw from the battle for freedom”: The story of Samer Issawi by Malaka Mohammed
“Keep your head high”: A comrade’s greeting to Samer Issawi by Shahd Abusalama
Video of Samer Issawi and his family attacked in court:
