Following the retaliation by Hamas on October 7th, Palestinians in Gaza have suffered from the greatest onslaught of violence seen since the start of the settler-colonialist project of “israel”. Since the beginning, the unprecedented violence against children, and destroyed homes, schools, hospitals, and refugee camps by the zionist entity has brought together communities like never before.
The attacks, consisting of artillery bombardments, chemical weapons, and ground invasion,
have resulted in charges of war crimes and charges of genocide by many international entities,
but 9 months later, the genocide continues.
However, while many international bodies and governments have failed, the people have not. Since the invasion of Gaza, people across the globe have rallied together to fundraise, protest, and raise awareness about Palestine. Oklahoma is no exception to this, and Oklahomans Against Occupation was born out of this spirit and desire to stand on the side of humanity. From creatives, artists, teachers, and young professionals, this organization started with a goal to raise awareness, educate fellow Oklahomans, amplify Palestinian voices, advocate for diplomacy, and support the safety and freedom of the Palestinian people.
9 months later, here is where we stand at what we’ve accomplished.
The first major initiative for OAO, “Rally for Peace in Palestine” took place in downtown Oklahoma City at Scissortail Park facing the Paycom Arena. Two nights before, dozens of people gathered at a local Yemeni coffee shop, Mocha House to make signs to carry for the protest, showing the grassroots support and spirit that exists here.
On the day of, hundreds gathered in cold, rainy weather, to protest the zionist entity’s collective punishment and onslaught into Gaza. Local businesses closed their stores to come support, and communities came from Tulsa, Stillwater, and surrounding cities. Even through the weather, people stood their ground and joined chants demanding an end to the violence and a free Palestine.
Following this momentum, OAO continued its grassroots efforts hosting teach-ins and participating in town halls and panels to educate and change the minds of residents in our state.
Rally for Peace in Palestine (10/28)
Night of Justice (12/21)
While operating as a fundraiser for multiple organizations supporting Gaza, this night also served to empower attendees to continue speaking up and speaking out. Spoken with truth and passion, their words serve to align our work to better serve activists and supporters in the Oklahoma community.
In the midst of what for many is a time of joyous celebration and precious time with family, OAO continued their crucial work to keep Palestine in the hearts and minds of all. “A Night of Justice” featured Palestinian activist Linda Sarsour and Arab academic Khaled Beydoun.
Communities gathered with their kids and pets to march for Gaza in the cold and rain while others spent time out celebrating. Those marching in solidarity for Palestine were met with people passing through downtown, many who cursed and tried to pick fights with protestors, who did not engage.
NYE March
(12/31)
Dozens of people gathered in downtown Oklahoma City to march and rally in response to worldwide celebrations for New Years while people in Gaza were still being massacred. Prior to the end of the year, Christmas celebrations in Jerusalem and across the West Bank in Palestine were canceled due to the ongoing brutality by the zionist entity.
March on Washington DC
(01/13)
OAO joined the March on Washington DC organized by American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), Muslim American Society (MAS) and others. At this time, this march marked near 100 days of violence, where Israel’s siege on Gaza had murdered over 20,000 Palestinians
Estimates of the crowd numbered around 400,000, which would mark it as one of the largest Pro-Palestine rallies in North America. Our board members who attended remarked about the immense impact and support of the attendees. Even though the United States is the biggest proponent of settler-colonialism, this does not speak for the heart of all people.
The state government has continually passed bills in support of “israel”, sponsored trips to occupied lands, and sent our tax dollars to promote genocide. This rally was later supported by a sit-in outside Gov. Kevin Stitt’s office, who has refused to meet with anyone regarding these issues.
No Business as Usual
(02/06)
To bring attention to Oklahoma’s state government and Governor that staunchly support Israel, OAO coordinated a protest at the state capitol. This initiative took place on the first day of the legislative session in the rotunda of the capitol, right outside of the entrance to the chambers for the House and Senate. This protest featured dozens of student supporters, as well as members from the Muslim community and more.
Hands off Rafah- Banner Drop
(02/16)
Rafah, a city in the south of Gaza, situated on the border with Egypt became a focus point of the zionist entity’s attack early on as much of the population fled to this area seeking refuge. Even as early as February, over half of the population in Gaza had fled there due to bombardment in the north.
However, as we have seen, the violence in Gaza knows no bounds and no safe-zones. The ongoing war crimes have massacred children, tortured prisoners, and systematically targeted women and mothers.
February marked one of these ruthless attacks in Gaza, and OAO responded with a rally on the corner of Rockwell and NW Expressway, a frequently traveled area in OKC with heavy traffic. This event culminated in a banner drop across NW Expressway with a banner reading “Let Gaza Live” with the names of child martyrs murdered by “israel”.
The day was freezing, however hundreds of people gathered to remember the life and legacy of MLK Jr. The spirit of his activism and impact on civil rights was evident in the spirit of the groups gathered to carry on this message.
MLK Parade
(02/27)
OAO joined other organizations, student groups, and businesses to march in the MLK Jr. parade commemorating the significant impact Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., made on communities across the country.
Global Day of Action
(03/02)
A crucial aspect of OAO’s work is visibility, and not letting Gaza leave the minds of people. Every day we all wake up to images of kids collecting pieces of their parents in blood filled streets, babies missing limbs, and parents mourning the loss of dozens of family members at once. Even with atrocities, some people continue to close their phones and act like this isn’t something that impacts them.
Nationwide days of action and protests have been coordinated, and OAO has joined in to support and continue to raise awareness. OKC’s global day of action followed the examples of nationwide organizers, and featured hundreds of supporters coming out to rally and march for Gaza at Scissortail Park in Oklahoma City.
For many, they won’t care until the victim or advocate looks like them. Aaron Bushnell, a 25-year-old serviceman in the US Air Force immolated himself in front of the Israeli embassy in Washingon DC, calling that he will “no longer be complicit in genocide”. This drastic action spurned support from many other service members, even in our own community.
Vigil
(04/01)
While one could hope that countless graphic videos of blood-soaked men, women, and children would be enough to encourage compassion and advocacy, we have seen first-hand the power of a sickening successful narrative in our country. For decades rhetoric in the media and education have shaped a narrative that black and brown lives have a diminished value, as seen by federal and state policies in the Patriot Act, incarceration rates, in healthcare statistics and beyond.
OAO hosted a vigil to gather community members from all walks of life to mourn, share, and honor the lives lost in Gaza and in protest of the genocide. This night featured compelling speeches, and the announcement of a campaign to focus on garnering support from our city council as a catalyst for our work.
Land Day Rally
(04/31)
Every year, Palestinians commemorate Land Day by holding protests and vigils to mark the seizure of their land by the zionist entity “israel”. Specifically for events on March 30th, 1976, when six-unarmed Palestinians were murdered after protesting the theft of 2,000 hectares of land. The indigenous people of Palestine have suffered from decades of bloodshed and land theft by the occupying forces of “israel”. This Land Day was filled with even more immeasurable grief due to the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
Dozens of people met in front of City Hall in Oklahoma City to protest the ongoing brutality Palestinians are enduring and hear from a current city councilor on support for a ceasefire resolution. This day was shared with indigenous allies from Native Nations from across Oklahoma, a central part of our own US history of land theft and occupation. Members of different communities shared the space to rally against occupation and genocide, and for Muslim supporters this rally was during Ramadan which is embodied by fasting from dawn to dusk. People stood in solidarity to show what this city stands for, and that we too live on occupied land.
All Out for Rafah
(05/31)
he most recent initiative follows the Tent Massacre in Rafah, where dozens of people were massacred in the so deemed “safe-zone” of Rafah in the south. Videos surfaced of people being burned alive in refugee tents, and body parts of children scattered across the ground.
Full post here: All Out for Rafah – Oklahomans Against Occupation (okendoccupation.com)
NEXT STEPS!
It’s important to note that these initiatives do not do justice to the endless atrocities ongoing in Gaza. There is no safe-zone, and every part of Gaza has become inhabitable, over a million people are at risk of starvation, and every day a new horror is discovered being carried out by the occupying forces of “israel”.
The West Bank, Jerusalem, and communities in the diaspora have seen an increase in violence and arrests, and there is little feeling of hope due to the failure of international bodies, neighboring Muslim countries, and the targeting of aid organizations.
We will not rest until there is an immediate ceasefire, an end to the siege on Gaza, an end to occupation, and the total liberation of Palestine, from the River to the Sea.
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