(COLUMBUS, OHIO, 05/21/2021) – On Tuesday, May 18, the Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) hosted a joint press conference in Columbus with the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF), New Generation for Palestine (NGP) and local Palestinian American community members responding to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.
In a statement, CAIR-Ohio Outreach Director Amina Barhumi said:
“We are seeing a dire situation in Gaza. The death toll continues to rise as Israel intensifies its airstrikes designed to inflict maximum harm and collective punishment on civilians. This is not a political issue; this is a humanitarian crisis. And President Biden has the political power and moral authority to live up to his previous statements on human rights and stop this bloodshed.”
CAIR-Ohio is calling for:
– President Biden to demand an immediate ceasefire
– The lifting of the ongoing blockade in Gaza
– The United States to help in the reconstruction of Gaza
– An end to the displacement of Palestinians in East Jerusalem
– Any aid to Israel be conditional
Following Tuesday’s press conference, the Cincinnati office of CAIR-Ohio also hosted a press conference on Wednesday with local Palestinian Americans.
In both press conferences, CAIR-Ohio highlighted how the U.S. is complicity in these crimes against humanity. American taxpayers are footing the bill for Israel’s violence and human rights violations as the U.S. gives Israel $3.8 billion dollars in unconditional military funding every year through 2028. Additionally, the Biden administration recently approved a $735 million arms sale to Israel.
“This military aid is what is being used to commit human rights abuses against Palestinians and what is impacting Palestinian Americans right here in Ohio,” said CAIR-Ohio Community Affairs Director Whitney Siddiqi.
Aya Hijji, a Cincinnati community member whose family lives in Gaza, shared how the crisis is impacting her and her family:
“I don’t know if my family is going to come out of this war alive or not. Since this started, I haven’t been sleeping well, haven’t been focused on my education, I haven’t been going to work because I couldn’t do it anymore.”
Earlier in the week, CAIR-Ohio issued an action alert for community members to urge President Biden to demand an immediate ceasefire and end to the assault on Palestinians. View the action alert here.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. CAIR-Ohio has offices in southwest, central, and northeast Ohio. CAIR-Ohio’s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
Tuesday’s press conference in Columbus can be viewed here.
Ohio In Arabic article on press conference can be viewed here.
Wednesday’s press conference in Cincinnati can be viewed here.
Dispatch article on Columbus Protests can be viewed here.
Dispatch article on Palestinian Families in Columbus talking about Gaza.
10 TV article and video covering Columbus protests can be viewed here.
Spectrum article on concerned Ohio families
