For peace in Palestine

Helen, Christian, John and I participated in a protest on Tuesday against the military actions taken by Israel against the people of Palestine. The protest was larger than anything I had expected (this site claims that 20 thousand people marched), peaceful, well-documented (as you will see in a moment) and surprisingly well-organized. We marched from the Obelisk on Avenida 9 de Julio (blocking traffic on the widest street in Argentina!) to the Israeli Embassy on Avenida de Mayo, only a few blocks from the Casa Rosada.

Poster advertising the protest: "Stop the Massacre in Gaza"

Gathering in front of the Obelisco. Some of our fellow marchers, upon hearing that we were Americans, seemed suspicious of our political leanings. We unfurled the home-made banner that John had whipped up to reassure them, and were rewarded with copies of several socialist newsletters.

Plenty of photographers snapped shots of us, perhaps intrigued by our English-language sign. Solidarity knows no national boundaries!

Marching down Avenida 9 de Julio, flanking the "speaker truck," from which an activist led us in a chant: "Estado sionista, vos sos el terrorista!" Kinda incendiary, huh?

Turning onto Avenida de mayo

All sorts of people marched--Arabs and non-Arabs, elderly women in head scarves and young teenagers, even small children with their parents.

The younger, edgier kids were spray-painting graffiti.

This guy got annoyed at a young woman spray-painting the sidewalk next to where he was trying to enjoy a beer in peace.

"From irritation to Popular Protest"

Argentine workers in solidarity with the Palestinians.

"Solidarity is a weapon--use it."

The anti-riot police in front of the Israeli embassy. We were separated from them by several tall fences.

A shot of the crowd convening in front of the embassy.

Christian took a photo of us from above.

Our photographer, in the scaffolding.