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Humanity has no nationality: 2nd anniversary of the murder of Vittorio Arrigoni

April 15, 2013 by occupiedpalestine 0 Comments

15th April 2013 | International Solidarity Movement, Nabi Saleh, Occupied Palestine

By Team Khalil

Vittorio Arrigoni

Vittorio Arrigoni

“We must remain human, even in the most difficult times …
Because, despite everything, there must always be humanity within us. We have to bring it to others.” -Vittorio Arirgoni

Today marks the second anniversary of the murder of ISM activist and comrade Vittorio Arrigoni in the Gaza Strip. Vittorio arrived in Gaza on the 23rd of August 2009, breaking the Israeli siege on Gaza with around 40 other international activists which he described as one of the happiest moments of his life: “It became clear, not only to the world, but Palestinians also that there are people who are willing to spend their lives to come and hug their brothers here in Gaza.”

From his arrival until his murder on the 15th of April 2011 , Vittorio stayed in Gaza to work with the International Solidarity Movement there where he attended regular demonstrations, helped both farmers and fishermen and documented the countless Israeli crimes against humanity that he witnessed. Vittorio also stayed in Gaza during Operation Cast Lead which massacred hundreds of unarmed Palestinian civilians.

In an interview he said: “I am from a partisan family, my grandfathers fought and died struggling against occupation, a fascist Nazi one. For that reason presumably in my DNA, my blood, there are particles that push me to struggle for freedom and human rights.”

As the children of Gaza continue to be born under siege and the Palestinian people suffer the brutality of the occupation every single day, the best way to honour the memory of Vittorio Arrigoni is to continue his work and never cease to resist. Vittorio continues to be an inspiration to people all over the world resisting injustice and inhumanity. To echo one of his favourite quotes, “A victor is merely a dreamer who never stops dreaming.” Vittorio, we will never forget you.


Vittorio Arrigoni: a Friend, a Brother, a Humanist

SPECIAL TOPIC
April 15, 2011 |   International Solidarity Movement |  Eva | In Gaza





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.



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Activism, Assassination, killing, Murder
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