Thursday, October 23 2003

When Protestors Attack

Evan Coyne Maloney attended the controversial "Palestinian Solidarity" rally outside of Rutgers University on October 11, in an effort to peacefully counter-protest and pose pointed questions to those who attended.

Maloney, who was filming the event, was attacked by the protestors:

I tried to move, but I was now completely encircled. When I tried to escape, the protesters then started smacking the camera with their signs, while others were shoving me from different directions. I started retreating, pushing my way back from the loudspeaker, all the while leaving the camera running and asking the protesters why they weren't letting me film. One man tried to prevent me from getting audio by unleashing a high-pitched squeal into the microphone. Another man asked me whether my camera was expensive, a question that -- under the circumstances -- I interpreted as a veiled threat.

Maloney has now posted his video here.

Upon viewing it, one is struck by how much attention Maloney himself drew from the rally's attendees and speakers. The speakers' focus was on two things: a pro-Israel advocate and the evils of Zionism. No calls for ending terrorism, democratic accountability from Palestinian leaders, economic development for Palestinians. Just blame. Reminiscent of the Palestinian leadership and media -- blame of Israel and the US for all internal problems.

Maybe when the Western media draw more attention to the utter failure and corruption of the Palestinian leadership, "pro-Palestinian" rallies will begin to be constructive, calling for real reform in the internal Palestinan system, for the sake of the poorly-represented Palestinian people.

Posted at 04:37 PM

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