Someone sent a message to a few people on Facebook during the recent spate of Israeli attacks expressing horror at the atrocities being committed in Gaza:

I am writing this message to some of the most influential people in Karachi, especially those who are influencing our youth’s thoughts and actions these days. Some/Many of us know what has been happening in Gaza for last many years but “none” of us is ignorant of what Gaza is facing for the last two weeks.

Donations in form of cash or kind are useless. When we were not able to reach out to our people in the north after the earthquake, it seems a difficult task trusting those so-called relief organizations working under the banner of UN, which is again for me the brainchild of Israel. In these trying times when all Pakistanis are made to suffer the economic crisis, food shortage, inflation, job cuts, terrorism, war hysteria and cold weather all at the same time, all we can do for the people of Gaza is Pray and Protest.

While praying for them can be done individually, protest needs people in unity. Each one of you is a star /role model for “at least” 5000 karachiites (your friends circle or group members proves it). Just one call (Facebook message or new group created) from your end can take 1000s of people to the streets of Karachi.

Imagine the volume if all of you work in unison and show your solidarity to the brothers sisters and kids suffering from Israeli bombings and hypocrisy. Just today UN passed a resolution for ceasefire and Israeli Cabinet approved continuity of bombings in Gaza totally ignoring the demand from world’s leaders.

I request all of you to please come together for one day and show the world you are concerned. I think just signing petitions, joining facebook groups will not help. Please set a day/time/venue/agenda for a serious walk a cause/sit in protest/ coming Sunday.

One of you may volunteer yourself to lead the entire cause, create group, set date, time, venue for the walk, venue for making placards and banners, and overall coordination.

PLEASE PLEASE Make this happen This Sunday!!

I was put off by the last paragraph of this appeal and wondered why this individual couldn’t take the responsibility of leading the cause herself. Why always put the onus on someone else? Anyway, I responded in an equally rambling manner …

Hello. Thank you for your message, which comes across as truly heartfelt. I’m going to ramble a bit so please bear with me.

As a long-time civil liberties activist, I have been thinking, for a while now, about effective forms of protest, in a time of extreme consumerism, fragmentation, and apathy. Post-emergency, one saw the rise of a new generation of activists and it was heartening and gratifying. Some faded away very quickly owing to ridiculous expectations of immediate change. Others were more mature and rational and understood that change may not come even in their lifetimes but that it is important to raise a voice and relentlessly demand action. Activity on Facebook, Twitter, and other social networking sites indicates that a large number of young, and not-so-young people in Karachi are outraged and helpless. I have been protesting on the streets for many years and unfortunately, we have just not been able to amass the numbers needed to make a significant impact. I have also been questioning whether coming out on the streets is even meaningful, today, if the numbers are not enormous. In a discussion with a women’s rights activist recently, I am glad that I was able to gain some clarity on this particular issue.

As the Israeli offensive in Gaza escalates by the day, it is imperative that two things be done.

1. We need to come out on the streets as a “symbolic” gesture. I say symbolic because it is important to be rational and understand that even if 100,000 Pakistanis take to the streets, the bloodshed in Gaza will continue. The reason that this symbolic gesture is critical is because we have to add our voices to growing international pressure and we have to be counted.

2. More specifically, we need to support the efforts of Avaaz and Amnesty International. These are credible groups that campaign for justice and human rights and know how to reach key powers. Avaaz has put out a call for robust international action to achieve an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. I have spoken to Paul Hilder, a core team member at Avaaz, and he said that they are making an impact but need greater numbers of people to sign up and donate to publish a full page ad in the Washington Post.

Take action today:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/gaza_time_for_peace/

http://www.amnesty.org.uk/actions_details.asp?ActionID=551

The only way the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza can be addressed is by escalating international pressure. We need to ramp up the efforts of credible organizations that are out there doing what needs to be done.

Various local groups, from WAF to Peoples’ Resistance are holding meetings and protests frequently. A group of graphic designers are putting up an exhibition of posters at The Second Floor (T2F) on the 21st of January, the day that Barack Obama takes over (it’s also Martin Luther King’s birthday) and leading up to that, we will be holding meetings to figure out a strategy. Perhaps you can ask all the people you have written to, to come to T2F this week to plan a large-scale protest. I will speak to representatives of all the other human rights and advocacy groups to join us. We also have plenty of friends in the media who will support us. It is then up to individuals to spread the word and get people off their apathetic butts and out on the streets.

Not a soul responded or showed up …