Arab-Americans set vigil against oppression, occupation Sunday

YOUNGSTOWN

As the U.S. reflects on its own tragedy days ago in Boston, a group of Americans in Youngstown are also remembering a history of tragedies still happening to their brethren in the Middle East.

The Arab American Community Center has scheduled a silent vigil to commemorate 65 years of Palestinian oppression and occupation in the Middle East and dispersion to other parts of the world.

The group is scheduled to begin the vigil across from the Jewish Community Center on Gypsy Lane at 10:30 a.m. Sunday to bring together those wanting to pay tribute to those living in refugee camps, under occupation in the West Bank or facing a war zone in Gaza, according to a prepared statement from the AACC.

“Most people would have thought it would have been done by now, but it’s the tragedy that keeps on going,” said Ray Nakley, media spokesman for the AACC of Greater Youngstown.

While others mark the spring with a celebration of the founding of Israel, those of Palestinian, Lebanese, Jordanian and Syrian descent, among others, remember the occupations and tribulations their “brothers and sisters” overseas are going through, Nakley said.

For the complete story, read Sunday's Vindicator or Vindy.com.