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CNN Live Today

Thousands March at Capitol in Support of Israel

Aired April 15, 2002 - 12:47   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: There is a massive rally about to be staged in the U.S. Capitol. Tens of thousands, we are told, will march in support of Israel. Kate Snow is tracking that march, and joins us now live for an update.

Good afternoon, Kate.

KATE SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Bill. You're right. Tens of thousands expected, perhaps in excess I'm told of 40,000 people. We're out here in front of the U.S. Capitol. The Capitol's right behind your camera right there. Behind me, you can see people already gathering, a lot of them holding up banners and placards. They say things like, "Israel, we support your war on terrorism." "Yes to peace, no to terror." People have come here from all over the United States. We're told about 1,200 buses were brought in from various places as far away as Wisconsin, Texas, Kansas, Tennessee.

The program will begin in about 15 minutes time. They're going to begin with a moment of silence. This is Israel's Memorial Day. And so, at the same time that bells will toll and sirens will sound in Israel, they are also going to sound here at this rally. And they will start with a moment of silence for Israel's fallen soldiers. And then they'll continue with a program of speakers. One of those who will be speaking here this afternoon, Nobel Laureate Eli Wiesel. He joins me now live.

I very much appreciate your being here with us. Tell us a little about the message that you want to send when you speak?

ELI WIESEL, NOBEL LAUREATE: Well first of all, I would like this message to go to Israel. Israel should know that Israel is not alone. In Europe, Israel is being criticized. In other places, surely the Arab world being vilified. In America, of course, they are our friends. All of us are friends. And my idea is Israel should know there is no solitude for Israel.

SNOW: You're sending this message here today. Eli Wiesel, thank you so much for your time. He'll be speaking in about an hour from now. Bill, this all gets underway in about 15 minutes. As we mentioned, a moment of silence.

We also expect to hear this afternoon from former Mayor of New York Rudy Giuliani, also from the former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Among others, there's a cast of people speaking here this afternoon. Some 30 or 40 people will be speaking. It's expected to last several hours, Bill.

HEMMER: All right Kate, thanks. Kate Snow back there in Washington D.C.

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