US: Bikers rally for Shalit's release
Waving flags with captive soldier's face, 50 Israeli motorcyclists join Rolling Thunder - annual rally that raises awareness for prisoners of war in Washington, DC
WASHINGON - Hours before captive soldier Gilad Shalit's family mark 1,800 days since his abduction, the Rolling Thunder motorcycle rally was on its way Sunday in Washington, DC raising awareness for prisoners of war and soldiers missing in action.
A delegation of Israeli bikers took part in the tour of the US capital, waving signs calling for Shalit's release.
Rolling Thunder rally in Washington (Photo: Oren Poleg)
The annual memorial day rally has been taking place since 1987, drawing hundreds of thousands of bikers from all across the US to tour the capital's various memorial sites. Waving Israeli flags, and ones bearing Shalit's face, 50 Israeli bikers joined the rally this year.
Noam Shalit marks 1,800 since kidnapping (Photo: Gil Yohanan)
"Last year I did it on my own, joining the American riders as a lone biker," Oren Poleg told Ynet. "This time I decided to join other Israeli bikers, and organize a journey of solidarity for Gilad Shalit."
The Israeli Embassy in Washington sponsored the event, and helped with publicity, along with The JCRC of Greater Washington, DC. The rally began at the Pentagon and proceeded down Pennsylvania Avenue toward Capitol Hill. From there the bikers headed to the city's war memorials.
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