SIers Lambaste POTUS on Friendsgiving Visit
The holiday centers gratitude, while downplaying the genocide of millions of indigenous lives and countless lost cultures of the First Nations of Turtle Island.
Monday, November 25th - President Joe Biden visited Staten Island for a “Friendsgiving” dinner with Coast Guard veterans at Fort Wadsworth. The White House's Press Secretary announced with four-days' notice the President and First Lady's visit to the U.S. Coast Guard Sector New York - the largest military presence in New York City with over 500 active-duty members. The short notice may have been intended to minimize the protests and discontent the President and his administration has received for the ongoing genocide, and occupation of the Palestinian people.
An Al Jazeera investigation by its Sanad monitoring and verification agency has revealed that the United States and United Kingdom have provided military support to Israel by creating an air bridge of non-stop cargo planes. By October 24, 2024, over 6,000 cargo planes delivered war weaponry to Israel, arriving on average every 16 hours in the first 384 days of genocide - making the US & UK cobelligerents.
Staten Islanders organizing with Staten Island 4 Palestine (SI4P) and The Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) worked together to coordinate an emergency rally despite the busy Monday workday, short notice, last hour location/time changes, road closures, and attempted interference by the NYPD. Over 20 Staten Island residents stood together in solidarity outside Seaside Plaza holding banners, waving flags, and chanting to protest the President’s passing motorcade. “From Palestine to Turtle Island, occupation is a crime and we have a responsibility to show up everywhere that they go,” said Salma.
As the evening progressed many more Staten Islanders of conscience joined the group, some after seeing it shared on social media while others came from the nearby apartment complex; proving that over a year into this fight to liberate Palestine, the movement is still growing on the Island and in every corner of the world.
Despite the chilly weather, the President received a very clear message, "Genocide Joe thinks he can hide on Staten Island and we're here to say you cannot hide when you are committing genocide," said Vanessa-Renne Mical.
