Supervisor Lee's 23rd Palestinian Day Remarks:
Good afternoon, As-Salaam-Alaikum. My name is Otto Lee, and I’m truly honored to be here today with everyone to celebrate the 23rd Annual Palestinian Cultural Day right here in the County of Santa Clara.
Of course, special thanks to Samir Laymoun, who needs no further introduction for all he has been doing for 23 years, and to my predecessors Pete McHugh and Dave Cortese.
This year, as you understand, is a little different. Often, when we celebrate these things, we come together joyously, enjoying the food and festivities. But this year is very different considering what is happening in Gaza.
I have been advised, ‘maybe this year we need to postpone it, maybe there is a risk of protesters and safety concerns, and how about not doing it?’
And you know what I said? I'm a Navy guy - I like John Paul Jones who said, “Damn the torpedoes, Full Speed Ahead!” - We are doing it!
Along with me, I would like to introduce elected officials here in support. Introductions of Pattie Cortese, Ash Kalra, Javed Ellahie, Omar Din, Tara Sreekrishnan, Raeena Lari, Patrick Ahrens, Sam Liccardo, Johnny Khamis, Sally Lieber, and a representative from Aisha Wahab. Thank you for being here and thank you for being brave and speaking for a community that needs to be heard.
Again, I am proud to continue showing support for the Palestinian American community and join in celebrating this history and heritage. As we are raising the flag today, proudly, thousands of Palestinians are dying and starving in Gaza. I don’t need to say more.
When we call for a ceasefire, some say, ‘That’s not defending Israel.’ I disagree strongly, and let's not conflate or be confused about what is happening. Shooting down 300 missiles from Iran raining down on Israel, that’s defending Israel.
But...
Restricting humanitarian aid, including food, medicine, and even water to seniors, women, and children is not defending Israel.
Killing hundreds of journalists and aid workers is not defending Israel.
Killing over twenty thousand innocent women and children is not defending Israel.
Bombing hospitals and killing nurses, doctors, and patients is not defending Israel.
Building more illegal settlements in occupied territories is not defending Israel.
Those are violations of international laws, humanitarian laws, and laws of human rights.
And calling out these atrocities of humanity is not antisemitic, so let's not conflate these terms.
I've also heard all the blame for our President. In all fairness, I think he's trying, but he took a little too long, but has finally come to the right place slowly. Most importantly, I think it's important that we stop sending bombs and weapons.
Instead, we should airdrop food, medicine, and humanitarian aid, build more piers, open more entrances to let more aid flow in, draw the red line of no invasion of Rafah, and demand the release of hostages and a ceasefire now!
Of course, there's also regional conflict that we’re worried about against Iran, and shooting down 99% of those Iranian missiles was no small feat, avoiding a huge catastrophe afterward. I have to say I give our President a lot of credit for that. While Trump still calls for more bombs, and allowing the IDF to do whatever it wants in Gaza. If he were the President, I don’t want to think about how things would be unfolding now.
I’ve seen the horrors of wars and bombs myself. I am a survivor of bomb and mortar attacks. One mortar round landed ninety feet from me when I was serving in Baghdad, working to draw down our troops and bring them home. I was lucky, but thousands have not been so lucky in the last six months. Therefore, we absolutely need to stop this madness now.
Let’s stop this war, release the hostages, and bring aid and humanity back to Gaza - that is the peace we need now.
Back to our County - We are here today to honor the Palestinian American community locally. I would like to read from the Proclamation of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors - signed by all five Supervisors.
WHEREAS, Palestinians now number approximately 30,000, having made major contributions to our County in the fields of business, engineering, law, medicine, as well as through their cultural talents in the areas of poetry, literature, dance, and music.
I just want to say thank you for being here and we will continue to sponsor this every year, rain or shine! Thank you for all of your invaluable contributions. It’s an honor to represent you here today.
May 11, 2024 - James P. McEntee Plaza, County of Santa Clara, San José, California
Photos from Palestinian Cultural Day 2022
