URGENT: Support the Gaza Freedom March!
Please call the Egyptian Embassy in Ottawa and the Egyptian Consulate in Montreal.

This is a call to all Canadians of conscience.

As many of you may know, Egypt has placed a ban on the Gaza Freedom March (GFM), a group of 1,362 people representing 42 different countries, and the conscience of humanity. They aim to end the siege of Gaza, which imprisons a population of 1.5 million innocent civilians who suffer in despicable ways, and they wish to bring to Gaza desperately needed humanitarian supplies including winter coats for children and specialized baby formula for infants with digestive problems, which Israel has banned from entering Gaza.

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.

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

Sunday December 27th marks the anniversary of the attack on Gaza by Israel, which left over 1,400 people dead, and over 5,000 injured in 22 days.

At 11 35 am, the time of the first attack, a group of humanitarians on the “Viva Palestina Convoy” will embark on an International Hunger Strike in the main square in Aqaba, Jordan.



The International Hunger Strike will aim to highlight the ongoing illegal siege imposed on Gaza, and to remember the victims of the attacks who died during the 22 day bombardment by Israel.



This International Hunger Strike will also highlight the refusal by Egypt, under Israeli pressure, to allow the humanitarian aid to reach the people in Gaza.

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.

Government of Egypt changes policy to allow humanitarian group Viva Palestina to enter Gaza December 27, 2009

December 23, 2009

Gaza Freedom March congratulates the Government of Egypt on its change of policy to allow international missions into Gaza during December with the decision to allow the Viva Palestina convoy to go into Gaza on December 27, 2009.

Organizers of Gaza Freedom March were told on December 20, 2009 by Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials that no international missions would be allowed to enter Gaza during December, including the Gaza Freedom March, because of serious security conditions at the border.

Today, December 23, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson told Gaza Freedom March organizers said that the decision had been made to alter its policy because of the “humanitarian assistance” nature of Viva Palestina.

Gaza Freedom March 

UPDATE