Inside the Occupation

RSVP Encouraged
Whistleblower Lt. Col. Anthony Aguilar (Ret.) and Dr. Rolla Alaydi to speak at “Inside the Occupation” event in Seaside SEASIDE, California — Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Aguilar, a whistleblower who has exposed atrocities and war crimes committed by Israeli forces in Gaza, will speak alongside Palestinian educator and professor Dr. Rolla Alaydi at a special public event titled “Inside the Occupation” on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026 at the People’s Center for Progressive Change in Seaside. The event runs from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and will explore Israel’s targeting of Palestinians and its relationship to ICE activity in the United States. Aguilar served in the U.S. Army from 2004 until 2025, including recent work providing security for aid distribution operations in Gaza. During his service in the region, Aguilar reported witnessing Israeli forces firing on civilians seeking humanitarian aid. He has described aid sites as “designed as death traps,” and resigned after becoming alarmed by what he witnessed on the ground. Following his resignation, Aguilar went public, speaking to international media outlets and testifying in Congressional hearings. His testimony has gained global attention and has been covered by major outlets including the BBC and NPR. Joining Aguilar will be Dr. Rolla Alaydi, whose story offers a deeply personal account of growing up in a refugee camp in the Gaza Strip and navigating life under occupation. Dr. Alaydi will speak about her experiences witnessing the impacts of Israeli military policy on Palestinian families, and how those realities connect to broader global patterns of repression and rising fascism. The event will take place at the People’s Center for Progressive Change, located at 1238 Fremont Blvd., Seaside, CA. Tickets are available online and attendees are encouraged to RSVP in advance. The event is hosted by Veterans for Peace Monterey and Monterey Palestine Solidarity