It’s 10:05 here in NYC, I just received word from Ayman that everyone was in the lobby in the Cairo hotel assembling to begin another attempt at the journey into Gaza. I am not a “religious” person, however, I am a spiritual believer, and I felt compelled to do a 10:02 Salat. I cried as I heard the beautiful and inspirational sound of a faithful man singing this ancient call. I thought of Alejandro and how faithful and virtuous he is, I thought of Nancy and how so very strong she is, and then Ayman and how unbelievably kind and willing he is and our children that are now growing up together…then Gaza, Iran, the brave people all over this planet we call home. It was a very emotional reflection for me, and it’s not something I normally do, so it will stand out for me, 10:02, July 14th, 2009.
Earlier today, Renee (Ayman’s wife) and I took our boys with us to a protest in front of the Egyptian Mission on 44th Street to call for the passing of the convoy through the Egyptian border into Gaza. Amir grabbed a sign and went for the door of the Mission…that’s my boy.
Below you will find the most recent press release from VPU:
Press Advisory from Viva Palestina
July 14, 2009, 11 pm, Cairo
The Viva Palestina US caravan has received a permit to allow the group passage through the Rafah gate and into Gaza after spending 10 days in Cairo trying to overcome a series of bureaucratic delays.
The American convoy is mobilizing to carry busloads of supplies to the people of Gaza on Wednesday, July 15, and expects no further delays to their humanitarian mission because the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had already confirmed that all 200 delegates have satisfied all technical requirements required for travel.
Weeks ago, the Viva Palestina US convoy received assurances from Egyptian diplomats that they would expedite the delivery of a convoy of trucks, medical and relief supplies and American human rights volunteers into Gaza, but restrictions were then imposed on the initial Viva Palestina plan.
“We are now on our way to complete our humanitarian mission, more determined than ever and stronger in heart than when we entered Egypt,” says George Galloway, British Member of Parliament. “We now look forward to seeing in a matter of hours the faces of the besieged people of Gaza.”
This is a victory for the people of Gaza. We were determined not to be denied in bringing humanitarian aid to the children of Gaza. The silence of the world is deafening as the people of Gaza suffer, but the two hundred Americans and over one million dollars worth of aide that is going through confirms our commitment to a free Palestine. Long live the people of Palestine.
It was an unbelievable feeling for him, born on the Lower East Side and growing up most of his life in Carolina, Puerto Rico, Ale has never left this hemisphere. What a fantastic way to say “Adios” to NYC and “Merhaba” to the Middle East. What’s even better is that as a member of Existence Is Resistance, Alejandro has been directly involved with the Palestinian Rights struggle and intimately connected, going to Gaza is going to be a very spiritual experience for him, I just know it. Oh, and as if it wasn’t good enough, he’s riding next to New York City Councilman Charles Barron, who just a week ago lead us to the front of the Israeli Mission during a demonstration! EIR in da house!!! Here’s to you Ale, out of the 238 people on this amazing convoy, I can almost be positive that you’ll be the only one carrying the Puerto Rican flag aside the Palestinian one, que viva una Palestina libre!!!!