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BREAKING
NEWS:
Richmonders condemn Israel's
massacre of international aid activists
Richmond, Va., June 1 - More than
75 people held a spirited protest this evening outside Richmond City Hall to condemn the Memorial Day Massacre of 20
international humanitarian aid activists by the Israeli military.
About 50 Arab-Americans
from the Greater Richmond area were joined by Black community activists, students, anarchists and members of local peace
organizations, chanting "Free, Free Gaza, Free Free Palestine!" as passing motorists waved and honked their horns in support.
The murdered aid activists were among 700 volunteers from some 20 countries
traveling on six civilian ships to deliver 10,000 tons of humanitarian supplies to the Gaza Strip, where Israel has imposed
a now 3-year blockade on the 1.5 million Palestinian residents, creating a grave humanitarian crisis.
Early on the morning of May 31, some 15 Israeli naval vessels and helicopters
surrounded the "Gaza Freedom Flotilla." Commandos dropped on the lead ship proceeded to open fire, killing up
to 20 internationals and wounding more than 50 wounded.
In addition to demanding murder indictments against the Israeli political
and military leadership, the Richmond protesters called for an immediate end to the $3 billion in annual U.S. aid to Israel,
money that makes possible Israel's suppression of the national rights of the Palestinian people.
Organized in less than 20 hours, this evening's protest was co-sponsored
by the Arab-American Association of Virginia and the Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality.
Union miners hold mass
protest outside Massey Energy stockholders' meeting
Richmond, Va., May 18 - More than 1,000 members of
the United Mine Workers of America and their supporters marched today on the upscale Jefferson Hotel where
the stockholders of Richmond-based Massey Energy Co. were holding their annual meeting.
Chanting "Don Blankenship has got to go,"
the union members demanded the firing - and imprisonment - of the coal company's notorious president.
The protest was organized by the UMWA to condemn the deaths of 29
miners who lost their lives April 5 in an avoidable mine explosion at Massey's Upper Big Branch mine in Montcoal,
W. Va.
The evening before the march, some 600 miners, other union members, allies and friends held a candlelight vigil outside Massey's downtown
corporate offices, where the names of all 52 miners killed over the past 10 years in Massey mines were read.
Among those supporting the vigil and march were members of the Communications
Workers of America, United Food and Commerical Workers, the Defenders, Virginia People's Assembly and several environmental
organizations.
