Thu, January 7, 2010 4:30:07 AM From:
Elizabeth Barger
I have just returned from Cairo, Egypt after participating in the Gaza
Freedom March. Below is an outline of what we accomplished in Cairo,
even though we didn't get all of us into Gaza. I will be sending
details in the next few days and weeks. There is much to tell. Pass on
the word.
Gaza is a lynch-pin in the work for peace and justice for all the Gazas
of the world. The Gaza Strip is a glaring example of what is wrong with
a system that seems to be running world governments. It is up to us to
bring real change, and that can only come through the courage to remain
nonviolent in the face of uncaring violence. Our dedication to
compassionate actions and communication to the people of their very
real power to change through innovation and mutual support in their
communities is necessary for the survival of our humanity and our
earth.
It will not be easy. The habits of force and subservience and fear will
be difficult to resist. Despair is the tool of tyrants. Love is the
answer. love, Eliz
CODEPINK:women for peace and social justice
"Leave the Oil in the Soil,
the Coal in the Hole, and
the Tar Sand in the Land." ~ Acción Ecológica.
----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Gaza Freedom March <emilycodepink@ gmail.com>
From Cairo to Home: We Will Lift the Siege on Palestine!
Returning home full of stories about an intense week in Cairo, in the
Egyptian border towns of Al Arish and Rafah, in Gaza for those who got
inside, and in the West Bank and Erez crossing for those who went to
Israel, we hope that you return energized by the momentum our movement
has created. It was a rough week for many—battling Egyptian police on
the streets, getting rebuffed by our own embassies, joining the hunger
strike, debating the Egyptian offer of allowing only 100 people into
Gaza. Through it all, however, we can be proud of our many
accomplishments:
* We set up a new international network that can coordinate future work
and, initiated by the South African delegation, we put out the Cairo
Declaration that outlines a program for moving forward. You can read
and sign the Declaration below.
* By focusing worldwide attention on the siege, we lifted the spirits
of the isolated people of Gaza. "For us, a population of 1.6 million
being imprisoned and starved, the gratitude we express to you, the Gaza
freedom marchers, is immense. Thank you all from the depth of our
hearts!" Mohammed Omer – Gaza
* We put the spotlight on the negative role Egypt is playing in
maintaining the siege and we put pressure on the highest levels of the
Egyptian government. "Your presence in Egypt was like an earthquake,"
said Suzanne, an Egyptian student. "You did more good politically by
protesting in Egypt than you could have ever done in Gaza."
* The delegation that went to Gaza took in tens of thousands of dollars
in humanitarian aid, allowed Palestinians to see long-lost family
members, recorded stories they will disseminate broadly, and put up a
stunning mosaic memorial to those who died in a central location in
Gaza City.
* We signed on to a lawsuit against the Egyptian government for
building a wall to block off the tunnels that have become the
commercial lifeline for the people in Gaza.
* We inspired solidarity actions all over the world and reinvigorated
our own determination to keep struggling to lift the siege.
In order to keep the momentum going, we call on all GFM marchers and
supporters to organize demonstrations, vigils or other forms of protest
at Israeli embassies and consulates around the world on the weekend of
January 16-17 to mark the end of the 22-day invasion last year. The
purpose of these actions is to demonstrate global solidarity with
Palestinians. Thus any action, no matter how small, will contribute
significantly to this message. Also, the rolling hunger strike will
continue until this date!
In order to highlight the global character of this movement, we ask
that you register your actions through our Solidarity Actions page.
This site will also allow you to see actions that are already planned
in your region and show your local media that you are taking part in a
coordinated protest worldwide.
We also encourage you to contact your media and write letters to the
editor. Keep spreading the message that the siege must be lifted.
Thank you for your work and dedication.
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S1000+
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--- On Fri, 1/8/10, loveliz77 <[email protected]> wrote:
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