Fight Back! is circulating the following statement by the United States Palestinian Community Network (USPCN) concerning the heinous and hateful murder of Wadea Al-Fayoume, a Palestinian-American child.

USPCN statement on the hate crime murder of baby Wadea Al-Fayoume

On October 15th, 2023, in Plainfield, Illinois, Hanaan Shahin and her six-year-old son Wadea Al-Fayoume were mercilessly attacked by their landlord, 71-year-old Joseph Czuba, in a hate crime targeting their Palestinian-Muslim identity. Hanaan is in critical condition in the hospital, and we are heartbroken to report that the precious Wadea died after being stabbed 26 times by Czuba. Hannan and Wadea had lived on the ground floor for two years with no previous notable issues.

Dallas, TX – Since the most recent bombardment of Gaza by the U.S.-backed Israeli military began over a week ago, Filipino communities across Texas have stood up alongside Palestinians. Leaders want to underscore the connections between the two liberation movements. Filipino community members joined massive rallies over the weekend of October 14-15 in Dallas, Austin and Houston, carrying flags of the Philippines and signs expressing their solidarity with the people of Gaza. During the marches, people began chanting “From Palestine to the Philippines, stop the U.S. war machine!”

New Orleans, LA- On October 15, around 250 protesters in New Orleans gathered at the Hale-Boggs Federal Building, waving Palestinian flags and signs in solidarity. With heavy downtown foot traffic surrounding them, they yelled chants like “Resistance is justified when people are occupied!”

Seattle, WA – On October 14, over 1000 people rallied in Westlake Park to show support for the liberation of the Palestinian people.

Since the successful offensive by the Palestinian Resistance only a week before, many organizations in Seattle and across the world have held massive demonstrations showing support for Palestine. Amid calls by the Israeli minister of defense for “total war on Gaza,” calling Gazans “human animals” and making plans to treat them as such, the Seattle community has been made it clear that they support the right for Gaza to defend itself.

Seattle, WA – On October 12, several hundred people gathered on the University of Washington’s campus to hear speeches in solidarity with the ongoing Palestinian struggle for self-determination and the right to return.

Los Angeles, CA – On Saturday, October 14, over 10,000 people rallied for Palestine outside of the Israeli Consulate in West Los Angeles. The protesters carried Palestinian flags and signs reading, “End U.S. aid to Israel” and “Victory to the Palestinian resistance!”

Dearborn, MI – On October 14, well over 2000 people took the streets of Dearborn, Michigan, marching despite the cold and heavy rain. After a week of near daily demonstrations in metro Detroit, the largest demonstration yet was organized by the Palestinian Youth Movement-Detroit, in collaboration with local chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine and others.

Harvey, LA – On October 14, over 100 protesters gathered at a busy intersection at the heart of Harvey’s Arab community to declare unconditional support for the Palestinian people’s resistance movement. People of all ages gathered at the intersection of Lapalco and Manhattan Boulevards waving Palestinian flags and carrying signs reading, “Occupation is a crime!” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

Tampa, FL – In a scene echoed throughout the world October 13, hundreds of community members came out in support of Palestine and the people of Gaza. A press conference was held in front of Tampa City Hall in response to a call from the Palestinian resistance to stand in solidarity. Leaders of a diverse array of groups spoke about the ongoing genocide in Gaza, as electricity, food, aid and internet have been cut off in preparation for a ground invasion.

St. Paul, MN – On Friday, October 13, 70 Palestine solidarity activists answered the Palestinian Resistance’s call for a global day of action by attending the weekly Justice for Palestine vigil hosted by Women Against Military Madness (WAMM) on a busy intersection near Macalester College. The pouring rain did not stop protesters from coming to express their outrage at the U.S. funding and unconditional support for the horrific, genocidal war being waged by Israel on Gaza, Palestine.

New York, NY – On Friday, October 13, thousands rallied in New York City in honor of an International Day of Action called for Palestine. The action was organized by Within Our Lifetime.

San Jose, CA – On October 12 around 100 students gathered on San Jose State University's campus to support Palestine. The protest began near the Olympic Black Power Statue and was organized by the SJSU chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine. Protesters brought Palestinian flags, keffiyehs and homemade signs.

Milwaukee, WI – Trade union leaders welcomed the chairman of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), Elmer “Ka Bong” Labog, to Milwaukee, October 4 and 5. The KMU is the largest and most militant labor coalition in the Philippines. Its name translates to May First Movement, a reference to the revolutionary workers’ holiday of May Day.

Milwaukee, WI – Nearly 2000 people joined a mass demonstration organized by the Milwaukee Anti-war Committee on Wednesday evening to show support for the people of Palestine as they resist the Israeli occupation. People of all ages, draped in keffiyehs and carrying Palestine flags, flooded the streets of downtown Milwaukee behind a banner reading “Long live the popular Palestinian resistance.”

Milwaukee, WI – On October 10, the UW-Milwaukee chapter of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and Students for Justice in Palestine joined together for a banner drop. The 30-foot-long banner was held above Maryland Avenue on the pedestrian bridge that crosses over the street. The message on the banner read, “Long live the popular Palestinian resistance, from Milwaukee to Palestine!”

Denver, CO – On the afternoon of October 11, students held a solidarity rally on Auraria Campus to voice support for the Palestinian resistance. Over 100 students and community members gathered in the rain for a speak-out. They then marched in support of the Palestinian people’s resistance to Israeli occupation.

San Francisco, CA – On October 8, upwards of 3000 people from across the Bay Area marched in San Francisco to show solidarity with Palestine. They rallied to support the Palestinian people’s struggle for freedom from Israeli occupation.

Dallas, TX – Approximately 70 community members attended a Dallas city council meeting on October 11, passionately demanding the council to reject a proposed resolution calling for “unequivocal support for Israel.” Despite the outpouring of community rejection of this proposal and over 75% of the speakers expressing their strong disapproval, the council passed the resolution unanimously.

Jacksonville, FL – Over 100 people rallied in support of Palestine, October 9, in front of the Duval County Courthouse in downtown Jacksonville.

A large portion of those who attended were members of Jacksonville’s Arab community, including many Palestinians. They were motivated to attend the demonstration after recent events in Palestine, where the movement to defeat Zionism is growing stronger. People around the world are watching as Palestinians are fighting for liberation and the end to Israeli apartheid.

Atlanta, GA – On October 8, Atlanta nearly 200 community members gathered in front of the General Consulate of Israel to show solidarity with the resistance movement in Palestine. The protest came a day after Palestinian resistance fighters launched a massive operation against Israeli settlements and military bases to fight back against the Israeli occupation of Palestine.