Sunday, December 28, 2008

What can you do about Gaza?

1. Pray for the people of Gaza

2. Send a letter to your local newspaper - click here for media contacts. Sample letter below (you can copy and paste however it would be more powerful if you change the words around a bit - don't forget your first & last name,phone number, and the city & state you live in if you want your letter published).

Dear Editor,

The situation in Occupied Palestine is unacceptable and the United State's reaction is appalling. Under international law, the occupying force must insure the safety of the occupied people. Israel has consistently failed to provide basic human necessities to the suffering citizens of Gaza and has even prevented others from providing such necessities. America was founded by a group of individuals who fought against the oppression of the occupying force of England so how is it that we continue to support Israel's oppression against a people who simply want to assert their human dignity?

The pitiful excuse that Israel is defending herself is a slap to the face of anyone with a grain of intelligence; It's mindboggling how journalists and other media personnel can claim journalistic ethics without actively rejecting such an excuse. The least the United States can do is stay out of it because the unconditional support of Israel contradicts the principles upon which the United States was founded and also taints the global image of the United States. Israel dragged us into a costly and unsuccessful war in Iraq so we should know by now that Israel's policies are not in the best interest of the United States.


Sincerely,


3. Show your support - attend a protest near you. There's one happening in almost every major city in the world. The list below is of protests happening in the US (courtesy of US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation):

CALIFORNIA

Anaheim

Sunday, December 28, 2:00 pm
512 S. Brookhurst St. (between Orange Ave. & Broadway)
Initiated by a coalition with a large number of groups

Los Angeles

Tuesday, December 30, 4:30 pm
Israeli Consulate: 6380 Wilshire Blvd.
Contact: 213-251-1025, answerla@answerla.org


San Francisco

Silent Vigil at Feinstein's Office
5PM Monday Dec. 29th
Contact: 415-821-6545, answer@answersf.org

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Washington, DC
Tuesday, December 30, 4:30 pm
State Department: 22nd St & C St NW
Contact: 202-544-3389 x14, dc@answercoalition.org

Friday, January 9, 12:00PM
Lafayette Square and march to Upper Senate Park
Contact: National Association of Muslim Women, namaw01@gmail.com

FLORIDA

Fort Lauderdale

Tuesday, December 30, 5:00 pm
Federal Building: 299 E. Broward Blvd.
Contact: 954-707-0155, FtLauderdale@answerfl.org

ILLINOIS
Chicago

Details to be announced
Contact: 773-463-0311, answer@chicagoanswer.net

MASSACHUSETTS
Boston

Wednesday, December 31, 2:00PM
Copley Square
Contact: Boston Coalition for Palestinian Rights, info@bcpr.net, (617) 491-2313

Details to be announced
Contact: 857-334-5084, boston@answercoalition.org

MINNESOTA
Various

Protests at Senator Amy Klobuchar and Congressman Keith Ellison's offices
Tuesday December 30th 10 am-closing

Keith Ellison's Minneapolis office is located at 2100 Plymouth Ave NorthMinneapolis, MN 55411. For directions call 612-522-1212

NEW YORK

New York City
Sunday, December 28, 2:00-4:00 pm
Gather at Rockefeller Center
March to the Israeli Consulate: 800 2nd Ave (b/w 42nd and 43rd Sts)
Initiated by Al-Awda New York

Monday, December 29, 5:00PM
Adalah-NY is organizing two meeting locations for fliering on Monday at 5:00:
The south end of Union Square, near the corner of 14th St and 5th Ave.
The triangular park at 6th Av. & 32nd Street.

Contact: 212-694-8720, nyc@answercoalition.org

OHIO
Columbus

Sunday December 28th - 5:00 PM
Ohio State University - Committee for Justice in Palestine
15th and High St.
Columbus, Ohio

WASHINGTON
Seattle
Saturday, January 3, 12:00 noon - 2:00 pm
Westlake Park: 4th and Pine
Initiated by Voices of Palestine
Contact: general@voicesofpalestine.org


More here

4. Contact your Representative and Senators in Congress at 202-224-3121. You can also find contact info for your Members of Congress by clicking here.

5. Donate to support much needed relief efforts in Gaza - click here

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