Close to 2,000 turn out in San Jose to protest Israeli attack on Gaza

With less than two days' notice, close to 2,000 people showed up in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 4, to protest the Israeli attack on Gaza. Lots of youth turned out, who came with bullhorns, Palestinian flags and tremendous energy. After an hour or so of non-stop chanting, the crowd at the busy intersection of Stevens Creek and Winchester became so big that we decided to march.

Marching through the nearby Santana Row shopping center was a highlight of the protest, with chants like "While you're shopping, bombs are dropping" and "One, two, three, four, we don't want your racist war, five, six, seven, eight, Israel is a racist state."

At one point during the protest, a Valley Transportation Authority bus stopped at the light and the driver yelled out, "Free Palestine." Many passing motorists honked in support of the protest, which was co-sponsored by South Bay Mobilization, San Jose Peace and Justice Center and MAS Freedom Foundation, and endorsed by ANSWER Coalition, SF Bay Area.

There was relatively decent coverage by channels 4 and 7, and Pacifica station KPFA interviewed one of the organizers. A reporter from the San Jose Mercury News was also present.