Milwaukee, WI – This upcoming Sunday, December 17th from 4-7pm, the Milwaukee Anti-War Committee (MAC) will host a commemoration of International Human Rights Day at Zao MKE Church. International Human Rights Day, observed annually on December 10th, marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations in 1948.
In 2023, we mark the 75th anniversary of the UDHR during the ongoing genocide in Gaza committed by Israel. Though the vast majority of UN member countries have expressed grave concern with Israel’s deliberate targeting of civilians and the clear perpetration of war crimes, resolutions for ceasefire are continuously voted down by the US. The US, as the sole no vote, vetoed a resolution in the UN Security Council calling for an immediate ceasefire last week. Again on December 12th, the US voted against a ceasefire, and thus against the demands of the US people. From local electeds such as Mayor Johnson all the way up to President Biden, US politicians have expressed their belief in Israel’s “right to defend itself”, endorsing Israel’s genocidal campaign as they mumble platitudes about hoping to avoid civilian deaths. Their bloodthirsty actions suggest otherwise – in November, the US House of Representatives passed a $14.5 billion military aid package to Israel, and in early December, the US State Department sold more than $100 million worth of tank ammunition to Israel.
Despite signing the UDHR in 1948 and claiming a moral high ground since, the US is no leader in human rights. It is imperative to call attention to the injustices the US perpetuates domestically and globally.
The International Human Rights Day event in Milwaukee will feature short speeches from organizations active across Milwaukee in areas such as: student activism, labor organizing, reproductive justice, anti-war, and ending police crimes. Attendees will then hear from the keynote speaker Muhammad Sankari, a member of the Chicago chapter of the US Palestinian Community Network, followed by a panel highlighting the connections between speakers. Lastly, Janan Najeeb, founding member of the Wisconsin Coalition for Justice in Palestine and current president of the Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition, will be presented with an award for her work in Milwaukee and throughout Wisconsin in service of human rights, particularly in the fight for Palestinian liberation.
Join the Milwaukee Anti-War Committee for this global day of solidarity!
