On October 7, Hamas militants broke through the barrier that surrounds Gaza and killed more than 1400 Israelis, kidnapping more than 200 others, according to Israeli officials. In response, the Israeli government began an unprecedented attack on Gaza, bombarding them from the sky and later beginning a ground invasion. According to the Health Ministry in Gaza, the attacks have killed more than 10,000 Palestinians. The United Nations has suggested that as many at 1.5 million people have fled their homes to head to Southern Gaza, where Israel has also initiated bombardments. Additionally, a group of UN experts have warned that the region time is “running out to prevent genocide and humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.”
Non-profit organizations Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem described the situation in Gaza prior to October as part of a decades-long system of apartheid by the Israeli state.
Because of the ongoing incursion and history of the region, thousands of people in Los Angeles have taken to the streets protesting the ongoing conflict in Gaza. This also includes progressive Jewish organizations, like IfNotNowLA and Jewish Voice for Peace, who are protesting outside of politician’s homes and organizing gatherings to mourn the Israeli’s killed in a Hamas incursion on October 7th, but also the thousands of Palestinian civilians killed in Gaza.
Here is a rundown of some of the recent events, and some upcoming ones.
Wednesday, November 8
UCLA Divest is holding a rally calling on their university to divest from BlackRock, a financial firm with investments in Israel.
More info here.
Thursday, November 9
The Palestinian Youth Movement, National Students for Justice in Palestine, ANSWER Coalition, the People’s Forum and the International Peoples’ Assembly are organizing Shut It Down For Palestine, calling on people to stage walkouts, sit-ins and other direct actions at institutions “that fund, invest, and collaborate with Israeli genocide and occupation.”
This is an international action, with some actions in Los Angeles. Cal State LA students are walking out and the Party for Socialism and Liberation are painting banners and flyering in Koreatown.
There will also be a community rally in Long Beach.
Saturday, November 11
Traviesa Studios and Reclaiming Homes are holding a healing clinic and grief circle in support of Palestinians and other Indigenous sovereignty movements in Little Tokyo.
Saturday, November 18
The National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee is holding a workshop on “war tax resistance.” More info here.
First Monday of every month
Eastside Cafe and WOC Women’s Collective is holding a women’s circle in support of “Free Palestine & All Native Lands.”