Uhurus protest support of Israel

The group speaks out for Palestinians and wants U.S. military aid to Israel to cease.

By Times staff writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published April 23, 2002

TAMPA -- More than two dozen people marched and chanted Monday afternoon in downtown Tampa in protest of U.S. support of Israel.

The march was organized by the International People's Democratic Uhuru Movement. In front of the U.S. Federal building on Zack Street, protesters walked in a circle and chanted slogans such as: "U.S. and Israel go hand in hand, killing people and stealing their land," and "Stop the genocide, stop the crime. U.S. out of Palestine."

Omali Yeshitela of St. Petersburg said the Uhuru group has supported the Palestinians for years and wants people to be aware of the group's views on U.S. aid to Israel.

"We feel like it's time to show opposition to the terrorism and genocide perpetrated toward the Palestinian people," Yeshitela said.

Israel, he said, is nothing more than a U.S. military outpost in the Middle East, protecting U.S. and European oil interests.

Uhurus support an end to U.S. military aid to Israel and an immediate withdrawal of the Israeli army from Palestinian areas. The group also advocated reparations to be paid to Palestinians by the U.S. and Israel.

The Uhuru group will meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Uhuru House at 1245 18th Avenue S in St. Petersburg to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The discussion is free and open to the public.

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