Protests outside Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer’s office today were calling for an end to American support for the Saudi-led war on Yemen under the rally slogan “Yemen Can’t Wait!”

From the Yemen Can’t Wait Rally press release on Facebook:

This rally is part of a large coalition of organizations committed to ending U.S. support for the Saudi-led war on Yemen, and will follow meetings with the offices of Senators Schumer and Gillibrand. By the time of the rally, we believe new legislation will be in the Senate, using the War Powers Act to bring to a vote ending U.S. support for the Saudi-led intervention. This rally will be a key part of demonstrating ongoing, constituent pressure to end U.S. participation in the war on Yemen.

Yemen is at the center of the world’s worst, man-made humanitarian disaster. Over 10,000 people have died from the conflict, 1 million people are impacted by the cholera outbreak, and 22 million people are food insecure, with millions on the brink of famine. Funeral halls, homes, hospitals and markets in Yemen are being bombed by the Saudi-led coalition, with U.S. assistance and U.S. weapons. With millions on the brink of famine, and in the middle of a cholera outbreak, the U.S.-supported Saudi-led coalition blockaded Yemeni ports, weaponizing aid that millions depend on. The United States must end all U.S. support for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen.

Join this rally outside of Senator Schumer and Senator Gillibrand’s NYC offices because #YemenCantWait. We rally to prevent further catastrophe and famine, and demand an immediate ceasefire, an end to all blockages on access for food, fuel and medical supplies, and U.S. investment in a new, inclusive peace process in which women, youth and diverse civil society can meaningfully participate.

About Kate Alexander:

Kate Alexander is the Director of Policy and Outreach at Peace Action New York State. Her previous work experience includes community organizing with Planned Parenthood in Arizona, war crimes research and assistance in a genocide trial in Bosnia, community peace-building work in Northern Uganda, and writing reports for United Nations bodies on women’s rights violations in Syria and Iraq.

Kate was the 2012 recipient of the David A. Alexander award for Social Consciousness and Activism at Brandeis University. She is also the 2017 recipient of the Genesee Valley Peacemaker award, awarded by Genesee Valley.

About Sahar Alsahlani:

Sahar Alsahlani is a board member of CAIR-NY, and serves on the National Councils of Religions for Peace – USA and the Fellowship of Reconciliation. Sahar Alsahlani is an American-Muslim television writer, producer, editor, interfaith peace activist, public speaker, and media commentator.

Originally from Iraq, Sahar recently moved to NYC from Los Angeles, CA, where she worked on various productions for USA Broadcasting, Warner Brothers Studios, Discovery ID, and the American Forces Network among other notable media groups. She soon discovered her passion for activism and joined the board of the Muslim Women’s League, along with involvement in other Muslim advocacy organizations like the Muslim Public Affairs Council. Combining her Muslim identity and television production skills, Sahar was part of the start-up team that launched Bridges-TV—the first ever, American-Muslim lifestyle network.

About Carmen Trotta:

Carmen Trotta is a pacifist with the Catholic Worker Movement. He has been an opponent of the war in Iraq, even when it had the support of 90% of US citizens. He is an associate editor of the Catholic Worker, and as part of the executive committee of the War Resisters League, he helped organize the April 20, 2002 march on Washington to oppose the War on Terror.

About Dr. Debbie Almontaser:

Dr. Debbie Almontaser is a leading Yemeni American activist, and the founding and former principal of the Khalil Gibran International Academy. A 25-year veteran of the NYC Public School System, where she has taught, trained teachers, and served as a multicultural specialist and diversity adviser.

Dr. Almontaser is the Board President of the Muslim Community Network. Dr. Almontaser frequently lectures on Arab culture, Islam, cultural diversity, interfaith coalition building and youth leadership. Dr. Almontaser sits on the Public Advocate Tish James’ Jewish, Muslim, and Sikh Task Force to Combat Hate. Dr. Almontaser also serves on the board of The Therapy and Learning Center Preschool and Emerge USA National Board. Dr. Almontaser is a published writer on Education and American Muslim issues. 

About Robert Naiman:

Robert Naiman is Policy Director at Just Foreign Policy. Naiman writes on U.S. foreign policy at Huffington Post. He wrote the Syria chapter in The WikiLeaks Files: The World According to US Empire. He is president of the board of Truthout. Naiman has worked as a policy analyst and researcher at the Center for Economic and Policy Research and Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch. He has masters degrees in economics and mathematics from the University of Illinois and has studied and worked in the Middle East.

For my Facebook Live video of the event click this link.