Oakland- Bay Area Women In Black v. SF Voice For Israel - Grand Avenue War

Oakland- Bay Area Women In Black v. SF Voice For Israel - Grand Avenue War

Part One



Part Two



Each Saturday morning on the corner of Grand Avenue and Lake Park, and in front of the historic Grand Lake Theater, two groups stage a protest against U.S policies in Iraq and The Mid East, and against each other.

I titled this "Oakland Culture War" because that's really what it is. Two groups of people who -- even though some may not live in Oakland -- picked this corner in Oakland to protest, and who have such differing views on The Mid East, they have agreed to stand away from each other, on opposite sides of the street to avoid arguing.

After walking by these groups and saying nothing -- like everyone else -- I decided to take camcorder in hand and get information. The video contains some very interesting information, particularly by SF Voice for Israel.

What was also of note, and comes out in the video, is how the Bay Area Women Against War seem afraid to talk to the camera, while SF Voice for Israel's people seem very happy to have a camera present, all the better to communicate their issues.

The major disagreement, according to SF Voice for Israel's handout, is that Bay Area Women In Black "demonize Israel, support terrorism, and the terrorist group Hamas to spread disinformation by enemies of Israel, who call for Israel's destruction." Harsh words to be sure.

Martyr Mouse

If you look carefully, there's a Mickey Mouse stuffed doll sitting on the street with the people of SF Voice for Israel. It's explained why it's there in the video, but the reason stated in more detail on their flyer, is that Hammas Television premiered a show called "Tommorrow' Pioneers" that used a Mickey Mouse-like character. SF Voice for Israel asserts that small children are encouraged to become "martyrs" in the name of destroying Israel.

For more information, visit the websites of each group:

Bayareawomeninblack.org and www.sfvoiceforisrael.org