BRIEF, AUSTRALIA
Viva Palestina fiesta a great success
Fred Fuentes
13 June 2009
SYDNEY More than 160 people, mostly from Sydneys Latin American and Arabic communities, celebrated 61 years of Palestinian resistance on June 6.
The Viva Palestina solidarity fiesta was a great success. It was jointly organised by the Latin American House, which brings together five different social and political groups from Sydneys Latin American community, and the Gaza Defence Committee Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (GDC-BDS).
The fiesta raised more than $1000 for campaigns in solidarity with Palestine.
Bashir Sawalha from GDC-BDS spoke on the importance of building links between the struggles in Palestine and Latin America. Venezuelan charge daffaires Nelson Davila pledged Venezuelas support for Palestine and urged that similar solidarity events be organised in the future.
A documentary about Israels recent massacre in Gaza made by GDC-BDS activist Ophelia Haragli was also screened.
Participants enjoyed fantastic Latin American and Arabic food, thanks to the great effort of supporters who donated their time to make the night a big success.