“They threw us all to the ground, threatening to pepper spray our eyes and it was during these moments that they twisted the arm of Alia, a Palestinian coordinator of the Freedom Bus. They also twisted my leg. I am still limping and the medics think that I have a torn ligament. Luke was arrested and has been released to house arrest pending deportation.”
Sonja de Vries, participant in the March Freedom Ride
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On March 29th, The Freedom Theatre’s Freedom Bus together with the South Hebron Hills Popular Struggle Committee organised a solidarity walk through the South Hebron Hills. The walk was the last event of the 13-day March Freedom Ride and brought together about 150 artists, activists, community leaders and students from Palestine and abroad. Participants attempted to walk through five of eight communities facing forced eviction within the “918 Firing Zone” – an area of the South Hebron Hills used by the Israeli forces for military training. 1000 people living in this region have been issued with eviction orders. All homes in these villages are faced with demolition.
The Israeli army tried to stop the walk and attacked and injured several participants. One international participant was detained by Israeli forces and placed under house arrest pending deportation. His arrest followed the attempted arrest of several leaders of the popular struggle movement in the South Hebron Hills. Sonja de Vries reports:
“We had all been schooled in the attitude and practice of non-violence and the village leaders reminded us once more: even if a settler hits you, keep walking. Don’t interact with the soldiers, just keep walking. […] The soldiers began to single out some of the women and youth from the village […]. Things started to escalate quickly, the Israeli army targeted one of the village leaders.”
As with all Freedom Bus activities, the March Freedom Ride emanated out of the belief that community engagement, active solidarity and creative expression are vital in the journey towards a more just, peaceful and egalitarian world. With your support, we will be able to carry out more Freedom Rides in solidarity with communities facing colonialism, occupation and state-sanctioned apartheid. Join Us as we Ride for Justice!