FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 21, 2024
Media Contact: Melissa Garriga | [email protected]
Peace Activists Face Charges of Resisting Arrest During a Disruption of Secretary Blinken’s Testimony in a Senate Foreign Affairs Committee
WASHINGTON -- Peace activists with CODEPINK and American Muslims for Palestine disrupted war criminal Antony Blinken this morning in the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on American Diplomacy and Global Leadership. In the United State’s true authoritarian and anti-democratic fashion, two activists face charges of resisting arrest and were threatened with charges of assaulting a police officer.” There were plenty of witnesses who can attest that neither activists assaulted anyone.
The only people assaulted today were the disrupters. CODEPINK member Ann Wright received an injury to her wrist when the police violently removed Mohamad Habehh from American Muslims for Palestine. Mohamad, disrupted Blinken by evoking the name of Hind Rajab, a 6-year victim of Israel’s 7-month long genocide of Gaza. Hind is one of tens of thousands of children murdered by Israel with the aid and support of the United States.
“Hind Rajab was 6 years old when Israeli soldiers killed her. Over 35,000 Palestinians have been murdered in Gaza with American taxpayer dollars. Their blood is on your hands. You will be remembered as the butcher of Gaza. Your legacy is genocide. You’re just as guilty as Netanyahu. You’re killing our families, Blinken,” charged Mohamad.
“As a retired US diplomat, I am horrified by what Tony Blinken is doing a secretary of state and being a part of the genocide the Israeli genocide of Gaza, Tony Blinken, and the state department should be ashamed of themselves for assisting in the destruction of Gaza and the killing of 10 of thousands of Palestinians,” explained Ann Wright who was there to also disrupt Secretary Blinken.
We are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where over 35,000 Palestinians have lost their lives, with American taxpayer dollars funding this violence. Secretary of State Antony Blinken bears direct responsibility for these atrocities and will be remembered as the "Butcher of Gaza." His legacy is one of genocide, on par with the actions of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
CODEPINK volunteer, Tina, reminded Blinken of the war crimes he is purposely turning a blind eye to when she disrupted. She yelled to the “undiplomatic” diplomat, "There have been 7 mass graves outside of hospitals. This is sick. This is deranged. You are a war criminal. Shame on you!"
Secretary Blinken is actively funding and financing this genocide. As the Secretary of State, it is his duty to ensure that U.S. weapons supplied to foreign militaries are used in accordance with international law. This obligation has been egregiously neglected, as evidenced by the continued bombing and starvation of hospitals, schools, mosques, churches, and refugee camps. Blinken's actions constitute a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law. This cannot be allowed to continue.
Olivia DiNucci, who alongside Mohamed is being charged with resisting arrest, made it clear that the United States is responsible for death and destruction around the globe - not diplomacy and leadership as the hearing titled implied.
“The U.S. has given billions to Israel, but our country urgently needs these funds for healthcare, housing, and addressing climate change. We must end our complicity in this destruction and focus on building a just and equitable society at home,” DiNucci explained.
For more information about the disruption and arrests, including access to videos, please contact Melissa at [email protected].
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