Gaza war protests continue in Westwood
A large group supporting Israel, including a few Los Angeles elected officials, and other groups supporting Palestinians gather on Wilshire Boulevard, holding up signs and listening to speakers.
Supporters of both sides in the conflict in Gaza held another round of boisterous but peaceful demonstrations in front of the Federal Building in Westwood on Sunday, separated by dozens of police officers.
At a pro-Palestinian rally that began about noon, hundreds of demonstrators lined the curb on Wilshire Boulevard in Westwood, waving flags and posters. Some read "End the occupation. Start the peace." Another proclaimed, "Gaza = Auschwitz."
A somewhat larger gathering of pro-Israeli demonstrators convened on the same side of Wilshire with flags and signs of their own. "Hamas stop using children as human shields," read one.
Gaza protest: An article in Monday's California section about pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrations over the conflict in Gaza said Boy Scouts arriving by bus waved Israeli flags. The scouts were members of Friends of Israel Scouts Inc. -- Tzofim. The organization is based in Israel with chapters in Southern California. It is not affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America.
Protesters have staged demonstrations for days in Los Angeles over Israel's two-week strike at Hamas strongholds in the Gaza Strip following the group's rocket launches into Israel.
Pro-Palestinian protesters knelt for Muslim prayers and then stood on the grass in front of the Federal Building to listen to speakers.
"The whole of Gaza is in ruins. We're here to pray for the dead, the victims. We want peace for all people. We want an immediate cease-fire," declared Muzammil Siddiqi, chairman of the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California.
The demonstrators carried 10 cardboard boxes -- makeshift coffins draped with the Palestinian flag.
Shakeel Syed, executive director of the Shura Council, said they were in honor of Gaza residents who had been denied a proper and timely burial in accordance with the Muslim religion.
The rally drew Christians, Muslims and Jews.
"We don't think this force is accomplishing anything," said Jeff Warner, action coordinator for L.A. Jews for Peace. "The war isn't going to bring peace, security or prosperity to either the Israeli or Palestinian people. The only thing is a negotiated solution."
Police stood between them and pro-Israeli demonstrators. The California Highway Patrol made one arrest.
Roz Rothstein, chief executive and international director for StandWithUs, a pro-Israel advocacy group, defended the Israeli action.
"We want to make sure that there is no confusion; that Israel did not choose this war," Rothstein said. "We have months and years of rocket-firing into Israel from Hamas, and we have dead people. And that's why we continue this."
The crowd cheered as several school buses pulled up, packed with Boy Scouts who leaned out the windows waving Israeli flags.
