Kites for Palestine Washington D.C : Why we Fly kites for Gaza
Kites and kite-flying have long been a symbol of Palestinian resilience, hope, and the longing for freedom in the face of a nearly century-old occupation. In fact, in July of 2011 the children of Gaza shattered the world kite-flying record when they flew more than 12,000 kites on a beach in northern Gaza. At the time, 11-year-old Marwan Mohammed said “We hope that we can be free and can enjoy the same freedom these kites enjoy in the air. All we are looking for is to grow up like normal children.”
More than a decade later it is the same story. Today, Gaza’s children crammed into makeshift refugee camps in Rafah, continue to find an escape and a taste of the joys of childhood sending kites soaring into open skies above, while bombs fall around them.
So it only seems fitting that here, at the DC Cherry Blossom Kite Festival, a major facet of local culture and a celebration of the art and pastime of kite flying, that the Palestinian kite story should be boldly represented, especially at this crucial time, with vigor, courage and even joy.
In their honor and on their behalf, we fly to be seen by the people of Gaza, and to let them know we see them. We fly, to send a message that an ever-growing body of the American citizenry demands a change in US foreign policy towards Palestine, and to fill the skies over Washington DC with a message of solidarity with people who have had to face unprecedented harm by our unwilling hands. We fly to express our love, to give them hope, and to tell the tale, as the assassinated poet Refaat Alareer urged, of those who have been so callously dispossessed, dehumanized, and killed.
Together with kite-flying and the other activities we have lined up, young children are showing up to learn and educate others about the importance of universal values of humanity, love, respect, and dignity for everyone.
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