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Vittorio Arrigoni: a Friend, a Brother, a Humanist

April 15, 2011 by occupiedpalestine 0 Comments

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April 15, 2011 |  1 16 |  International Solidarity Movement |  Eva | In Gaza





Vittorio Arrigoni

Vik

I first heard of Vik before arriving in Gaza. Vik had just been injured by IOF water cannoning which shattered the windows of the fishing boat he was accompanying. Vik had some injuries from the shattered glass.

When I met Vik he was nothing but humble and humour. A compassionate man, living to do good and do anything for Palestinian justice. Others knew him better and longer, and told me of Vik’s arrests by the IOF, deportation, and other interesting stories. But above all, what shone, aside from his intelligible English and random Italian curses, was his humanism.

He was taken from Gaza, briefly, by the IOF navy, when they kidnapped 15 Palesitnian fishermen and 3 accompanying activists, including Vik, in November 2008, from Palestinian waters. At the time of his abduction, he was electrically shocked while peacefully avoiding abduction by diving into Gazas cold waters.

He returned to Gaza, via Free Gaza again, before Israel began its war on Gaza. He continued to write and report from the enclosed, bombed Strip.

Stay human, he always said. And so was the title of his book on the Israeli massacre of Gaza in 2008-2009. Stay human.

Vik’s blog, Guerilla Radio, gave voice to Palestinians who have strong voices but are denied the microphone.

During the Israeli war on Gaza, we all worked together, riding in ambulances, documenting the martyred and the wounded, the vast majority (over 83%) civilian. Vik was always on the phone, Italian media taking his words and printing them for the public to see.

Aside from the loss of a compassionate, caring human, activist, and friend, I am saddened by the group that did this. Surely they knew Vik was with them, for them. But in every society, including my own, there are extremists, people who act with misguided guidance.

Vik was there, among the war casualties, among the on-going martyrs unspoken in the corporate media, celebrating Palestines beauty and culture, dancing Dabke at my wedding celebration.

He was there to joke with us, to counsel us, to smoke shisha by the sea…He wrote the truth, spoke the truth, stayed human.

Vik, my brother, allah yerhamek, bless you for your humanity and your great contribution to Palestinian justice. I will miss you, your smile, your humble, fun personality.

Yatikalafia ya Vitorrio.

Updated on April 15, 2011

Source ISM

April 14, 2011


Message from occupiedpalestine

انّا للہ و انّا الیه راجعون
‘Inna Lillahi wa ‘Inna ‘Ilayhi Raji’un

Shocked  and in tears we received the message about the death of Vittorio Arrigoni: Vik.  A man who dedicted so much to the Palestinian cause and people.

I salute the Shaheed Vittorio Arrigoni, killed in Gaza on April 14, 2011 during his struggle for humanity and truth. May Allah Subhana wa Ta’ ala grant the Shaheed Vittorio Jannatul Firdaus, ease it for his family, loved ones and friends. Allahumma Ameen ya Rabbil ‘ Alameen.

I remember him, mourn him and in his honour we will continue his & our joint struggle:
To “stay human” and fight injustice.

Testimonies

In Solidarty…


Announcement

  • Amsterdam , The Netherlands Apr 20, 2011 : HTIB, 1e Weteringplantsoen 2c | Vigil for vittorio
  • Cairo Tue Apr 19 2011: Candlelight Vigil for #Vittorio in front of the Italian embassy in Cairo next Tuesday
  • Ottawa Canada April 18, 2011,vigil 4 Vittorio Arrigoni, Human Rights Monument, 8pm
  • Edmonton, Canada  Apr 19, 2011: Vigil  for Vittorio at city hall at. 7:30 pm
  • Vancouver Canada Apr 19, 2011: vigil for Vittorio Arrigoni, 6pm on  at inukshuk on the seawall near Bidwell and Beach Ave in the West End
  • Gaza Apr 15, 2011: Hamas plans to hold rally in memory of slain Italian activist Vittorio Arrigoni: AlJazeera
  • Gaza Apr 15, 2011: Today 1:30 pm, Gaza people will hold a symbolic funeral for Vittorio & Protest at 4 pm to demand prosecution of his murderers. 
  • London Apr 15, 2011: TONIGHT: vigil in remembrance of Vittorio Arrigoni, 6pm Italian Embassy, London, 143 Kings Yard, W1K 4EH
  • Gaza | Ramallah Apr 15, 2011: Candlelight vigil for Vittorio tonight at 8pm in Al-Manara, Ramallah. Coinciding with candlelight vigil in front of UNDP in Gaza.


Information

For more information, please contact:

Inge Neefs, ISM Gaza, English, 00 972 597 738 436
Silivia Todescini ISM Gaza, Italian 00 972 595 447 660
Nathan Stuckey, ISM Gaza, English, 00 972 597 650 864
Huwaida Arraf, Free Gaza Movement, English & Arabic, 00 972 598 336 215

Adie Nisterooly (close friend of Vittorio’s), ISM Gaza, English, 0041799407215

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Activism, Assassination, killing, Murder
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