PINKtank

To Gaza and Beyond: Reflections on the Gaza Freedom March

“Lift the siege of Gaza! Free Palestine!” young men are chanting as they slog through the muddy road and, noticing me holding out a plastic bag filled with square pink peace flags, crowd around to grab one.  The prayer flags quickly pepper the march with soft pink hues and the endearing messages of peace from kids and their grandparents, moms and daughters from all over America contrast with the loud chants coming from the rear of a pickup truck equipped with mega speakers and the mostly male march.  Other signs saying “Women Say Free Gaza” in English and Arabic and are also snatched up by the male marchers.  But men carrying signs speaking for women is not enough and I can’t stop wondering, “Where are the women?”