The family of US activist Rachel Corrie, who was crushed to death by Israeli bulldozers in Palestine 20 years ago on March 16, says that they miss their daughter every day and are proud of the value she represents.
Rachel Aliene Corrie was born and raised on April 10, 1979, in Olympia, Washington state, USA.
She attended Capital High School and Evergreen State University. She participated in social activities and humanitarian projects during her education years.
Rachel Corrie, an International Solidarity Organization volunteer and a human rights activist, decided to go to Gaza as part of the "Welfare-Olympia Sister City Project" while she was in her senior year.
Rachel Aliene Corrie (April 10, 1979 – March 16, 2003) was an American activist and diarist. She was a member of the pro-Palestinian International Solidarity Movement and was active throughout the Palestinian territories. In 2003, Corrie was in Rafah, a city in the Gaza Strip, where the Israeli military was demolishing Palestinian houses at the height of the Second Intifada. In an attempt to stop the demolitions as they were being carried out, she stood in front of an armored bulldozer and was subsequently crushed to death by it under contested circumstances.
During these years, Gaza was one of the focal points of human rights violations in the Middle East.
Activities in Gaza
When she arrived in Gaza, the 'Second Intifada' was continuing in the region.
During this period, Rachel participated in actions in the Gaza Strip and participated in humanitarian activities in the region.
Corrie, who devoted her life to defending the rights of Palestinians, played a successful role in bringing to light the rights violations experienced by Palestinians with the activities she carried out here and the videos she shot.
While she witnessed Israel's attacks closely in Gaza, she was a guest in the homes of Palestinian families and had the opportunity to get to know the humanitarian situation in the region closely.
She made a great effort to stand against Israel's demolition of Palestinian homes in Gaza.
During this period, she strongly opposed the US invasion of Iraq and participated in protests.
Death
On March 16, 2003, Corrie was participating in a protest in front of a Palestinian house that was being demolished by Israeli soldiers.
Corrie, who appeared in front of the bulldozer with a megaphone in her hand, was crushed by the Israeli bulldozer after hours of action.
Corrie died at the scene when her skull and ribcage were crushed by a bulldozer.
The Israeli administration claimed that the incident was an accident and that the operator did not see Corrie. While the lawsuits remained inconclusive, Israeli courts acquitted the army forces.
Rachel Corrie, who was killed in Gaza at the age of 24, became an important symbol for the struggle for human rights in the region.