Global March to Jerusalem sets proceedings

The closing statement by the international committee for The Global March to Jerusalem reiterated that the march, taking place on March 30, would be a peaceful one. The march is being organized by Palestinians and their supporters representing communities allover Palestine and the surrounding countries, with participation by solidarity organizations around the world. It will take off in Jordan passing through Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt respectively, finally arriving at the Palestinian border. \"Racism against Palestinians is protected by law and even encouraged in Jerusalem today,\" says the Global March website. \"The march is against occupation and racism of all types and constitutes an opposition factor which draws attention to such practices in Palestine and Occupied Jerusalem,\" explained the release. It commemorates Palestinian Land Day, when Israeli forces killed six Palestinians, wounded more than 100, and arrested hundreds more in 1976, while they were peacefully protesting the confiscation of Palestinian land from Palestinian citizens of Israel. According to Global March, this comes in a time when most of the city’s housing is off limits to Palestinians, and the remaining Palestinian property is routinely denied building permits and adequate public services. Many of the existing homes are under demolition orders. The march aims to reinforce Palestinians\' historic right to defending their land as well as raise awareness of global support. The release strongly condemned the occupation\'s escalatory measures against al-Aqsa mosque during the past weeks and all policies held against the holy city. It reiterated that al-Quds represented a historical capital to Palestine and is also the city of world peace and cultural heritage. Global March called for all religious and human rights institutions, labor and student unions, and civil rights groups allover the world to participate in the peaceful march in preservation of al-Quds.