Parents of Critically Injured US Peace Activist Demand Justice

by Charles Lenchner · 2009-03-25 20:25:00 UTC
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Tristan Anderson's parents held a press conference yesterday at the Alternative Information Center in Jerusalem to demand justice for their son. They claim that  no Israeli official, from either the government or the military, had contacted the couple since their son was hurt. Jonathan Pollack and attorney Michael Sfard also presented at the conference.

"We are scared and really just in shock," said Mrs. Anderson with tears in her eyes. "To shoot peaceful demonstrators is horrific to us. We ask that the Israeli government publically take full responsibility for shooting our son." To date, the Anderson family has not been contacted by any representative of the Israeli government or military, a fact that attorney Michael Sfard, who also spoke at today's press conference, described at "shameful."

Opening the press conference was Jonathan Pollack, a well-known Israeli activist and long-time friend of Tristan. Pollack updated journalists that Tristan's condition worsened this past weekend, and following emergency surgery, he is in a medically induced coma. Immediately following the shooting, Tristan underwent two brain surgeries in which part of his right frontal lobe and shattered bone fragments were removed. "We have been hanging between hope and despair, noted Pollack. "Tristan is fighting for his life, just as he has been fighting for justice his whole life."

The Israeli border police shot Tristan using a new, high-velocity tear gas canister that can shoot over 400 meters. "Tristan was shot at 60 meters, so you can imagine what that did to him," explained Pollack, quickly adding that "actually, we don't have to imagine, we know." Tristan's father, Michael said in disbelief that "We are just appalled that he was shot in the head. It [the tear gas canister] is supposed to be shot in an arc, but they shot it at him."

Additional information:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/mar/23/tristan-anderson-israel-protest

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3690947,00.html

Charles Lenchner
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