Last April, we followed the story of a grassroots coalition in Albuquerque, NM who paid to have 10 billboards criticizing US aid to Israel displayed around the city only to have them taken down under pressure. Today, the Coalition to Stop $30 Billion to Israel, which represents 14 groups from the Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim communities of New Mexico, contacted us to let us know that at least one billboard is back up (pictured above).
Noted anti-war protester Cindy Sheehan has endorsed the effort:
"The Albuquerque based Coalition to Stop $30 Billion to Israel had ten billboards taken down back in the Spring due to pressure from people who refuse to hold Israel accountable for its human rights record. This little group of volunteers was knocked down but they’ve obviously gotten back up again–the proof is that they managed to get their message back up on a billboard again. Their message is crucial–that a better use of our taxpayer dollars is to provide for our people back home, here in the USA rather than provide military aid to a country that has consistently violated international law and oppresses the Palestinian people. Kudos to the Coalition for continuing to advocate for a justice-based peace in the Middle East. I congratulate them on their achievement and hope New Mexicans flood their members of Congress with phone calls asking for an end to military aid to Israel."
The Coalition says that efforts are underway to have similar billboards erected in San Francisco and Seattle.
