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Muslims Join Protests Against World Economic Forum
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| Demonstrators walk from Central Park to the Waldorf-Astoria hotel |
By Dilshad Ali,
IOL Correspondent
NEW YORK, Feb. 3 (IslamOnline) - Nearly a thousand protestors demonstrated against the World Economic Forum (WEF) in a four-block cordoned off area on Park Avenue in Manhattan Saturday.
Protestors, including a number of Muslims – calling for a withdrawal of forces from Afghanistan and support for Palestine – focused on a hodgepodge of issues related to globalization and current military crises.
While the rallies were mostly peaceful due to more than 2,500 police patrolling the area, more than 30 arrests were made Saturday afternoon for unlawful assembly and disorderly conduct. Many protestors complained to police about the tight security, which was undertaken to avoid the chaos seen at the past conferences in Seattle and Italy.
“We’re not cows,” one protestor shouted, angry at being corralled by numerous barricades.
Another jeered at the police, calling for the crowds to swell forward.
Muslim protestors were scattered throughout the crowd, passing out leaflets on Palestine and carrying placards calling for an end to the war in Afghanistan. Despite the minimal Muslim participation, many Muslim causes were at the forefront of the demonstrations.
Inside the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, both domestic and foreign economic leaders discussed U.S. foreign policy, the pros and cons of economic globalization and the United States’ possible role in combating so-called terrorism. Though the WEF’s venue was switched to New York from Switzerland to show solidarity after the September 11 attacks, criticism of U.S. policies was prevalent.
Outside the hotel the roar of protestors spread over midtown Manhattan. Many sported picket signs reading “U.S. out of Middle East,” “End the Sanctions: Let Iraq Live,” “No War Against Somalia” and “End U.S. Aid to Israel,” among other slogans.
One sign, berating U.S. President George W. Bush’s recent statement that Iraq, Iran and North Korea are the “axis of evil” drew laughs from the crowds. Chants of “Power to the people” and “We got to beat back the Bush attack!” blared from loudspeakers.
One Muslim, who brought his three daughters to the protest quietly, listened to the crowd around him. “I’m not a very vocal man,” he said, asking to remain anonymous. “But my children and I wanted to be a part of this to show that we too are sick and tired of the way Muslims are treated,” he said.
“Why must the U.S. invade Afghanistan?” he added. “What have the poor Afghanis done to this country? Has the U.S. stopped terrorism through this war? I think the country has gained revenge, but not the end of terrorism.”
Another protestor said one could complain about any number of things the United States has done, saying, “This is a country that has done a lot of good. However, many U.S. companies exploit workers and disregard the environment in the name of profits. Why should we, the minority, get to enjoy the majority of the world’s resources when the majority of the world doesn’t?”
Brian Becker, spokesman for International A.N.S.W.E.R. (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism), which organized the protest, told CNN that he was pleased with the peaceful, but still powerful nature of the demonstration. “Just to be able to gather and speak our minds; that’s always a victory,” he said.
ANSWER – which was formed to “oppose war, support global justice and self-determination, stop racist attacks on Arabs, Muslims South Asians and all people of color” – worked for months to advertise the protest and labored with the New York Police Department to ensure peaceful demonstrations. Protestors were jammed on one sidewalk of Park Avenue with the barricades to prevent them spilling onto the street. In front of the Waldorf-Astoria police created a protestor-free “frozen zone.”
A variety of Muslim groups endorsed the protest, including Muslims Against Racism and War, Women for Afghan Women, Al-Awda Palestine Right of Return Coalition, Atlanta Masjid of Al-Islam, Masjid Al Muminun of Atlanta and numerous collegiate Muslim Student Associations.
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