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The dead in Gaza have exceeded 28 thousand, hundreds of organizations have declared themselves against the support that the United States provides to Israel to continue with the war and deaths in Gaza, which is why the YUCA organization in East Palo Alto has joined the demands they ask an acquittal that gives a ceasefire in Gaza.
In this regard, Manuel Ortiz conducted an interview with Ofelia Bello, who belongs to the organization YUCA (Youth United for Community Action), in the Península 360 Press mobile unit, broadcast during the Península 360 Radio program in collaboration with Marcos Gutiérrez from «Hecho en California".
Ofelia Bello from YUCA (Youth United for Community Action), an organization that has joined in calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, where more than 28,000 people have died, spoke about the importance of joining the movement and demanding that the United States stop financially support the war in Gaza.
It all started with a small group of young people of color active in their communities, and concerned about the problems in their environment, they formed YUCA, then they launched FIRE Fellowship, a program for young people of color that includes paid internships in community organizations that work for the environmental and social change in the Bay Area.
YUCA works for leadership development, community organizing and coalition building, August of this year marks the 30th anniversary of the organization, where thousands of young people have made a difference in the world and are currently working in housing justice in East Palo Alto, as well as environmental justice.
"We cannot escape what is happening in Gaza, because there is a Palestinian community in Redwood City, and we have learned that in Silicon Valley it is important because of the technology that is being used in Palestine, but also on the border with Mexico, for example, with the companies that generate technology to monitor“he commented Ofelia Bello.
She assures that the situation that occurs in Gaza directly affects the communities, from the images that circulate on social networks where children, women and men, doctors and members of the press who are attacked and violated are seen suffering.
"That is an impact on people's mental health, especially young people, and that is something that is constantly being seen.“he added Ofelia Bello.
On the night of Monday, February 12, there was a demonstration at the University of Stanford, Ofelia had the opportunity to be present, “they were there because, supposedly, the president of the university was going to meet with his administration to decide what they were going to do regarding support in Gaza.”
The aim is to get the community involved in the issue, since it affects everyone directly or indirectly, so having the understanding of young people is essential, showing them that their voice has great value and that they are part of the delicate decisions of the country.
For Ofelia Bello, Stanford students have dedicated themselves to raising their voices very loudly and demanding that the authorities pay attention to what is happening, questioning the connections, but this university is also being asked to take out its investments in the way it that is supporting in Israel.
“For us, the struggles we have here regarding housing justice, environmental justice, are connected to Gaza, if we see that our country continues to invest in wars, that is something totally opposite,” Bello stressed.
Finally, he explained that there are many people who do not want to speak or express their voice, because they are afraid of receiving words or acts of aggression, which is why many hesitate to speak or really show themselves against the genocide in Gaza, but it should be reported that it is not a single voice, since organizations and media, as well as the population in general, are against the war and demand an end to these regrettable acts.
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