MEDIA ADVISORY - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -CANADIANS AT RISK IN CAIRO

Later this morning, Thursday, December 31, beginning at 10 am nore than 50 Canadians will be particpating in an illegal march from Cairo to Gaza to break the blockade of Gaza.

The Canadian government has said they will not provide assistance should marchers face prosecution or arrest.

The Canadians are part of the Gaza Freedom March brings over 1300 people from more than 43 countries to join Palestinians of Gaza in a non-violent mass march to the Israeli border.

Location details will be relased shortly prior to the march given the heavy police presence in Cairo.

After
three days of vigils and demonstrations in downtown Cairo, Suzanne
Mubarak’s offer to allow just 100 of 1,300 delegates to enter Gaza was
rejected by the Gaza Freedom March Coordinating Committee as well as
many of the larger contingents – including those from France, Scotland,
Canada, South Africa, Sweden and New York State (U.S.).

“We
flatly reject Egypt’s offer of a token gesture. We refuse to whitewash
the siege of Gaza. Our group will continue working to get all 1362
marchers into Gaza as one step towards the ultimate goal for the
complete end of the siege and the liberation of Palestine” said Ziyaad
Lunat a member of the march Coordinating Committee.

I am so grateful to all that have been able to make this journey as well as those who are backing it with supplies etc. , there are so many of us for our own reasons who could not go on the Gaza March and who would have wanted to.

Though all the hardships and government's corruption to stop you to get to the people of Gaza/Palestine it is our hope that you get through, a recent update said it may be by water costing the Gaza March Convoy thousands of dollars even if possible, Israel doesn't want anyone around the Gaza gas fields, so I thought that an odd option given by Egypt, or it has been mentioned it may come down to passing the supplies through only. I pray, and write emails to my Canadian MP's and Egyptian Embassy here and in Egypt,  to do something to make sure you at least temporarily break the seige of Gaza once again, and that soon in the future the new wall that the USA, Israel and Eygpt are building get's stopped before it is completed and torn down.

Subject: latest report from Cairo distribute widely  *****  urgent*****
by Wendy Goldsmith

What: Egyptian security forces detain internationals in el-Arish, break up memorial actions in Cairo



When: Sunday, December 27, noon: the Egyptian security forces detained a group of 30 internationals in their hotel in el-Arish and another group of 8 at the bus station. They also broke up a memorial action commemorating the Cast Lead massacre at the Kasr al Nil Bridge

Subject: letter to President Mubarak from Gaza Freedom March

OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT MUBARAK FROM THE GAZA FREEDOM MARCH

*******spread widely************
December 26, 2009

Dear  President Mubarak;

We, representing 1,362 individuals from 43 countries arriving in Cairo to participate in the Gaza Freedom March, are pleading to the Egyptians and your reputation for hospitality.

We are peacemakers. We have not come to Egypt to create trouble or cause conflict. On the contrary. We have come because we believe that all people -- including the Palestinians of Gaza -- should have access to the resources they need to live in dignity. We have gathered in Egypt because we believed that you would welcome and support our noble goal and help us reach Gaza through your land.

Gaza Freedom March 

UPDATE 

After the attacks on the People of Gaza by Israel, Reubilding has become very difficult due to the Seige used to Collectively Punish the population for engaging in acts of Democracy.