Belleville resident Shahid Mahmood (far right) is part of a Global Sumud Flotilla taking shipments of food and relief to Gaza. Photo: Submitted
A local resident is one of about 1,000 people still part of a Global Sumud Flotilla‘s 70-plus vessels.
Shahid Mahmood, a Belleville resident and co-founder of Belleville for Justice and Peace, remains part of the initiative that seeks to break the siege on Gaza, delivering humanitarian aid where it’s largely been denied, and standing in solidarity with those suffering apartheid and genocide.
Belleville for Justice and Peace is a group that has partnered with Amnesty International Quinte on a number of local events focused on the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
AIQ noted that on Monday, May 11 the last two participants of the Global Sumud Flotilla still held by Israeli forces had been released. They had been sailing off the Greek coast in international waters when 22 Flotilla boats were intercepted and 181 people forcibly taken into custody on April 30.
Two Canadians were among those detained.
AIQ has a special stake in this as it is one of the endorsing organizations of the Global Sumud Flotilla’s Canadian delegation.
Jane Powell, an AIQ board member who has been attending Sunday afternoon vigils for Palestine, says, “I attend vigils, support Amnesty and stand at the corner of Bell and Front because we who have so much need to stand up for human rights. We can not take what we have for granted. I do this hoping we are increasing awareness and because I feel less alone and helpless in front of an unimaginable situation.”
The vigils for Palestine take place at the corner of North Front Street and Belle Boulevard every Sunday from 1:30 to 3:30. They are organized by Belleville for Justice and Peace. The next Amnesty Urgent Action letterwriting takes place Tuesday, June 9 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Belleville Public Library. All are welcome.
More on Amnesty International Quinte can be found on its website.
