26 February, NYC: Protest to free Mohammed al-Qeeq and defend Palestinian journalists

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Friday, 26 February
4:00 pm
G4S Offices, NYC – 17 W 44th St, NYC
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1548875395405667/
Organized by Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network

This Friday, Mohammed al-Qeeq will enter the 94th day of an open hunger strike against his indefinite imprisonment without charge or trial.

He is one of 18 Palestinian journalists held by Israel, as well as one of 650 “administrative detainees” and 6,900 overall political prisoners.

Mohammed Kana’aneh, former Palestinian prisoner and leader in the Abnaa el-Balad movement in occupied Palestine ’48, reported that al-Qeeq was experiencing severe respiratory problems, severe chest pains and difficulty breathing, and had requested to see his wife and children on the morning of Friday, 19 February.

Protests continued throughout Palestine demanding freedom for al-Qeeq, and a group of Birzeit University students launched a hunger strike in support of his struggle. Al-Qeeq is a Birzeit graduate. He was a student leader during his time at the university.

On Thursday, Fayha Shalash, al-Qeeq’s wife, posted a brief English language video appealing for international support for the imprisoned journalist, who has been on hunger strike since 25 November, initially in protest of his torture under interrogation and then in protest of his administrative detention without charge or trial.

Shalash called on people around the world to support al-Qeeq’s struggle for freedom.

G4S, the world’s largest firm company and second-biggest private employer, equips Israeli prisons and detention centers where 6,800 Palestinian political prisoners are held and tortured, as well as the occupation forces and infrastructure that routinely massacre Palestinians while holding millions under military rule.

Join us to answer a united appeal by Palestinian prisoners for escalated boycotts of G4S.

Demand G4S immediately end its contracts with Israeli prisons and detention centers, occupation and security forces and checkpoints, and that Israel release al-Qeeq, other administrative detainees and all Palestinian political prisoners.

Support the Palestinian people, the Palestinian prisoners, the Palestinian Resistance, and the liberation of Palestine, from the river to the sea.