Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Do Something!


Do Yesi and I have your attention now?

Can you please put your hookah down, stop reading about Brittany Spears, take a break from the Wii, prick your bubbles (Orange County, Santa Clara, etc.) AND do something!

Do anything.

I have a strong feeling NONE OF US (including myself) are doing EVERYTHING we CAN for our brothers and sisters (in faith but more so in humanity) in Gaza.

You don't know where to start? You're not sure how YOU can make a difference?

Donate (Every dollar matters)
Islamic Relief - $10 million emergency appeal for humanitarian crisis
Al-Awda - You will need to specify that your donation is intended specifically for Gaza

Send a Letter to Your Elected Officials
Jewish Voice for Peace - They've even got a form letter available for you!

Sign a Petition
Avaaz - Help them obtain 150,000 signatures ASAP

Take it to the Streets
ANSWER - Protests planned in 10 cities, including Orange County and San Francisco, thus far!

Say a Prayer
Yes, it's the least you can do. It should be done in conjunction with any/all of the above. Say a prayer for the residents of Gaza as well as all other victims of oppression in Apartheid Israel and elsewhere.



This is much too easy. Do something!


1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Action Alert #530: Raise Awareness, Speak Out Against Gaza Blockade

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 01/24/08) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is calling on khateebs to devote their Friday khutbas tomorrow to raising awareness about the situation in Gaza, and educating their congregations about what positive steps (included below) they can take to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis there.

For more information on the Gaza Crisis, see:

CAIR Calls on Bush Administration to Prevent Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza


UN Rights Body Condemns Israel Over Gaza (AP)

Red Cross Warns of Gaza Crisis (AP)

CAIR is also urging the community to continue to contact your elected representatives and write letters to your local newspapers to advocate for an end to the illegal blockade and the restoration of essential services that have since been halted.

A sample letter you can personalize and send to your representatives is available below.

IMMEDIATE ACTIONS REQUESTED:

1. WRITE to your elected officials (one U.S. Representative and 2 U.S. Senators) to demand an end to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

- Click here to download a sample letter from our website.


- Click here to find your representative.


- Sign and mail/fax the letter. Continue to call.

2. WRITE a letter to the editor.

- Go online to find letter requirements for your local newspaper or call the paper and ask for the Letters Editor.

Talking points:

* As a concerned American, I support an immediate end to the illegal Israeli blockade in Gaza.

* Our nation and its leaders cannot and should not remain silent as an illegal humanitarian disaster unfolds in Gaza. Collective punishment is always counterproductive and only serves to block moves toward a just resolution of any conflict.

* Because American taxpayers provide Israel with billions of dollars of economic support each year, we have the right to demand that those funds not be used to increase human suffering.

* Israel must abide by international law and universal standards of human rights. We call on President Bush to demand the immediate end of Israel’s blockade.

* Silence from American officials will only serve to increase the perception worldwide that our nation cares little for the suffering of the Palestinian people.

* The perception that the U.S. abets cruel and inhumane treatment of civilian populations provides fodder for anti-Americanism that may threaten the security of the United States.

3. INFORM YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY by forwarding this alert to at least five other people. Tell them you took action and ask them to do the same.

CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 33 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.