NEWS ALERT: For Immediate Release | Anti-War Committee (AWC)-Chicago

Press contacts: Hatem Abudayyeh, 773.301.4108, hatem@aaan.org;

Joe Iosbaker, 773.301.0109, joeiosbaker@gmail.com

Peace activists: Chicago, Drop Boeing as sponsor of Air and Water Show

Press conference, Die-in planned for Saturday at North Avenue Beach

Saturday, August 16, 12:00 noon press conference 

North Avenue Beach, west side of North Avenue Bridge (park side)

Followed by die-in

Since the start of Operation Protective Edge, Israel’s deadly assault on Gaza, tens of thousands of Palestinians and anti-war activists have repeatedly marched in Chicago. Since the start, the protests have raised the demand that the Boeing Company stop providing Israel with the F15 fighter jets, Apache helicopters and smart bombs that have terrorized the people in Gaza.

The coalition of groups brings their campaign against Boeing to the Air and Water Show this weekend. Boeing is a major sponsor. Joe Iosbaker of the Anti-War Committee – Chicago, which initiated the action against Boeing, said, “We demand that the City of Chicago drop the company from the sponsors of the Air and Water Show. No company that makes profit from the slaughter of civilians should be part of city events.”

Iosbaker added, “We oppose U.S. aid to Israel. Our government has provided the weapons, many from Boeing, with which Israel has killed 2000 Palestinians, 80 percent of whom are civilians, including 463 children; and seriously wounded nearly 10,000 more.”

Hatem Abudayyeh of the Coalition for Justice in Palestine, which convened the mass marches for Palestine here, said, “We endorse this protest. The murderous assault on Gaza over the past month will result in a growing movement to boycott, divest and sanction the government in Tel Aviv. This is the first of many such efforts to come.” Joining the protest on Saturday, he explained, “Boeing has become the poster child for the crimes that U.S. companies commit in the world.”

The groups targeting Boeing will join the press conference by the Coalition to Shut Down Guantanamo at noon.

Endorsing organizations: Anti-War Committee – Chicago; Coalition for Justice in Palestine (American Muslims for Palestine, Chicago Islamic Center, Islamic Community Center of Illinois, Palestinian American Community Center, Palestinian American Council, and United States Palestinian Community Network), Jews for Justice in Palestine, Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, Chicago Coalition to Shut Down Guantanamo, Chicago Committee to Defend the Bill of Rights, 8th Day Center for Justice, Chicago Faith Coalition on Middle East Policy, Illinois Coalition Against Torture, American Friends Service Committee, Jewish Voice for Peace, Palestine Solidarity Group, ANSWER - Chicago, Chicago Area Peace Action, Evanston Neighbors for Peace, Chicago Light Brigade