Code Pink LA Advocates for Gaza Peace and Cuts in U.S. Support to Israel
By Daniel Rivera
On Aug. 3, Code Pink L A formed a caravan from Seal Beach to Hermosa Beach along the Pacific Coast Highway to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and cut U.S. arms and funds to Israel.
“I’m out here because this country that I work my butt off for, pay my taxes … are paying for the murder of my people, for the annihilation of us,” said Maha, who is of Lebanese and Syrian descent and is married to a Palestinian. She has resided in the United States for 40 years.
According to the Council on Foreign Relations, Israel has received $12.5 billion in aid since Oct. 7 of last year. This would amount to about a 229% increase from previous military aid packages provided to Israel, which were about $3.8 billion last year. They also say that Israel is the largest recipient of foreign aid as a major non-NATO ally.
Saturday’s action is Code Pink LA’s second caravan, as they previously formed a caravan going through LAX Airport.
“Today’s a little different, we won’t be giving speeches like how we did it at LAX because we are not going to be driving at like five miles per hour and people won’t be able to hear that message. So that’s why we have all these different flags that are facing oppression and all the counties in support of those countries,” Glo, an advocate with Code Pink LA, told Random Lengths News as they decorated their vehicles before setting off.
They had about eight cars with painted slogans on their windows, and flew flags along the length of the car, as they traveled along the Pacific Coast Highway. While they drove down the highway, they played music and honked at those who waved or held pro-Palestine signage.
Some flags on display were the Palestinian flag, the Lebanese flag, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mexico, Syria and some LGBTQ flags. All of those countries to one extent are facing instability from within and exploitation from without.
Over the last couple of weeks, President Joe Biden announced that he would no longer seek reelection and would instead back Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic presidential nomination. Harris has made multiple statements in either direction, criticizing the humanitarian situation on the ground while also promising to continue aid to Israel, which has left these advocates skeptical and without much hope for change in the United States’ stance toward Israel.
“She is just trying to make people believe in what she is saying so they can get votes,” Glo said about Harris’ statement on Gaza. Harris has expressed sympathy for Palestine in public statements but these advocates remain skeptical.
“And probably after they get those votes, she’ll be pro-Israel to the end,” Monica said after she and Glo both expressed that they do not believe that she will push any harder for a cease-fire than the current administration has so far.
for a ceasefire in Gaza and cuts in U.S. Support to Israel
These advocates believe the United States has a responsibility to help rebuild the Gaza Strip after the dust settles, due to their long support of Israel, many of the weapons and munitions being sent or paid for by the United States.
“The minimum the United States of America can do, after murder, maiming and destroying, the least they can do is the repair…” and, “How can they repair families that have been erased, how can you repair orphans that are left without parents, how can you repair children who are amputated,” Maha said.
The siege on Gaza began back in October of last year in retaliation for a surprise attack from Hamas, with a reported death toll climbing to about 35,000 Palestinians, several dead hostages, and no clear end in sight for the ongoing occupation by the Israeli Defense Force.
Code Pink LA is a feminist organization that has held several protests in Los Angeles County, protesting the military-industrial complex, and what they view as their interests.
They protest the further expansion of American military aid to Israel.