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Follow Us on TwitterGareth Smith (NSW) writes to Editor of Byron Shire Echo re media blackout of paddle event in support of Palestinian rights 5Jun13 June 5, 2013
Byron Friends of Palestine did something unique in participating in the Mullumbimby to Brunswick Heads Paddle Event. Gareth Smith converted his sea kayak to symbolically represent the Gaza Aid Flotilla which has braved Israeli deadly piracy to bring essential aid to Gaza. Israel blockades the Gaza Strip by land, sea and air imposing collective punishment on the 1.6 million people there and by so doing violates the Fourth Geneva Convention, Articles: 2, 27, 33, 53, 55 and 56(1). The public who saw my protest cheered and waved but our media ignored them and our creative contribution. They snubbed Gaza and the continual suffering of its people and their fate. No doubt thousands of Gazan families would love their children to be safe like the little girl holding two plastic ducks which graced the front page of the Byron Echo. Safe from daily attacks on her parents, safe from Israeli blitzkriegs which used white phosphorus and depleted uranium weapons, safe from having her house destroyed, safe from the threat of unclean water, safe from the sonic bombs dropped on her house and well, just safe in every sense of that word. Evil flourishes when good people do nothing.
Thank You.
