Letters, Announcements, & Videos, April 19, 2010

1. Poet and Author Alice Walker Speaking in Gaza (Democracy Now)

2. Israeli ID order set to criminalise Palestinians

3. Remembering Deir Yassin - Dan McGowen

Debating the Holocaust

http://www.debatingtheholocaust.com/cover

Dr. Strangelove, Made in Israel  

http://america-hijacked.com/2010/04/15/dr-strangelove-made-in-israel/

April 22: Protest the Friends of the Israeli Occupation Forces fundraiser!

LUMEN

838 W. FULTON MARKET, CHICAGO
6:30 PM

Let the Israeli Occupation Forces (inaccurately described as IDF) know that foreign occupation armies that commit war crimes against the Palestinian people have no friends in Chicago!

On Thursday, April 22, the nightclub/lounge Lumen will be hosting an event to raise funds for scholarships for "four former Israeli combat soldiers." Protest this event by calling Lumen at 312-733-2222 or email them at info@lumen-chicago.com

If Lumen does not cancel this event, we will be there to protest on April 22, at 6:30 PM at Lumen, 839 West Fulton Market.

Co-sponsored by

Palestine Solidarity Group-Chicago,

International Solidarity Movement-Chicago,

International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network-Chicago,

Jewish Voice for Peace-Chicago,

Chicagoans Against Apartheid in Palestine,

The Students for Justice in Palestine Chapters at DePaul, UIC and IIT,

National Lawyers Guild-Loyola

and the US Palestinian Community Network.
 
http://www.israelsoldiers.org/branches_chicago.php

Sitdown with ex-Taliban hostage, Interview with Imam Siraj Wahhaj & More

Voice of Palestine need your support, Ehab Lotayef featured this week

Voice of Palestine, Canada has been on the air for over twenty-two years; we have always counted on the generous support of our listeners to keep the show on the air. This week will be part of Coop Radio's spring marathon where listeners are asked to pledge their support by becoming members or making a donation.  Please go to www.coopradio.org and click on donate, and be sure to mention Voice of Palestine; or phone in your pledge at 604-684-8494 on April 13 or 20th at the end of the show. This week's interview will be with Egyptian Canadian activist and poet, Ehab Lotayef from Montreal. Ehab will talk with us about the launch of his new book of poetry, To Love a Palestinian Woman.

Voice of Palestine www.voiceofpalestine.ca broadcasts weekly on Vancouver Cooperative Radio (CFRO) 102.7 FM, Vancouver, Canada. The show broadcasts for one hour every Tuesday night from 8 to 9 pm PDT (Wed. morning from 6:00-7:00am Palestine time). People outside of Vancouver can listen to the show live on the Internet http://www.coopradio.org/listen/.

For people who wish to receive announcements from our show, please join

Voice of Palestine صوت فلسطين facebook group at:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=21841634205

Support freedom of expression in Canada /
Soutenez la liberté d'expression au Canada

Ask the NDP to withdraw from the CPCCA
La version française suit...  
 
Dear friends,

In a few weeks, a report will be issued that could be the first step to criminalizing criticism of Israel in Canada.  The Canadian Parliamentary Coalition to Combat Anti-Semitism (CPCCA) is preparing a summary report and recommendations. This report could make criticism of the policies of the State of Israel difficult, perhaps even illegal, by positioning such criticism as a form of anti-Semitism.

The Bloc Quebecois has already resigned from the CPCCA in protest.  We urge everyone who wishes to protect Canadians' freedom of expression, and who believes in justice in the Middle East, to take action below, asking the NDP to also withdraw from this coalition.

Click here to send an e-mail to NDP MPs to ask them to publicly disassociate themselves from the CPCCA.

Please respond to this action alert, and forward this message to your friends and acquaintances.
If you like the work that CJPME does, please donate to help us expand our work.

More Info
 
The CPCCA is an ad-hoc (unofficial) coalition of - until the resignation of the Bloc Québécois in early March - MPs from each of the political parties represented in Parliament. The CPCCA launched a call for submissions last summer "to gain insight into the problem of anti-Semitism in Canada and to draft concrete recommendations to combat the phenomena both locally and globally." CJPME was among the groups that submitted briefs arguing that the Coalition's attempt to establish a link between criticism of Israel and anti-Semitism was indefensible, and that it also violated the fundamental rights guaranteed under Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The Bloc Québécois announced in early March that it was withdrawing from the CPCCA for the following reasons:

The fact that the list of "witnesses" called by the Coalition's Steering Committee presented only one perspective on the question.

The fact that the Bloc MPs had been unable to influence the Steering Committee to call two witnesses - us (CJPME) and the Canadian Arab Federation (CAF).

The Bloc's sense that the Coalition had been-from the outset-improper in its orientation, partisan and unwilling to consider different points of view.

Like many other observers, CJPME is of the opinion that the CPCCA has taken a very biased approach to the matter, such that its conclusions will necessarily be tainted. Likely, the conclusions will be such that criticism of Israel will be considered a form of anti-Semitism, thus laying the groundwork for making it illegal. The CPCCA's exercise is neither objective nor balanced, and constitutes a real threat to Canadians' freedom of expression.

Please forward this email to other like-minded friends and acquaintances.

Warmest regards,
 
The CJPME Leadership

CJPME Email - CJPME Website

Program Haifa Conference One Democratic State

To the participants in the 2nd Haifa Conference

for the return of Palestinian refugees and for the Democratic Secular State in Historic Palestine
 
We are still working on the program of the conference, but we are able to publish a tentative initial outline that may help you make your plans.
 
Friday, May 28
15:00 Walking tour in Haifa.
17:00 Reception: Films, Food
19:00 Opening Session: Key political speakers, Cultural program
 
Saturday, May 29
9:00 – 9:30 Gathering and registration + Breakfast 9:30 - 10:00 General meeting 10:00 – 11:45 Three parallel Workshops 12:00 – 13:45 Three parallel Workshops 14:00 – 15:00 Lunch 15:00 – 16:45 Three parallel Workshops 17:00 – 18:00 Presentation of workshop results in plenum 18:00 Dinner 19:00 - 22:00 Cultural Event
 
Sunday, May 30
10:00 Trip to the Galilee: The destroyed villages and to unrecognized villages.
10:00 – 15:00 – Consultations for the establishment of an international coalition.
 
Proposed Subjects for Workshops
 
The exact subjects for the workshops are still under discussion. Some of the issues that are likely to be handled are:
 
° The return of Palestinian refugees – how to bring it back to the center of the political struggle and how to promote its implementation?
 
° The call for a Democratic Secular State and its effect on the current struggle against occupation and Israeli Apartheid.
 
° Different views about the nature of the future Democratic Palestine.
 
° Human Rights and International Law reasoning for the call for return and a democratic secular state.
 
° The role of Palestinian political prisoners and participation from the prisoners in the discussion.
 
° Homage to Haifa: History, Ethnic Cleansing, Working for the return of the refugees.
There will be special workshops for activists to participate in discussing experiences and building together for future struggle:
 
° Connecting Palestinians in struggle between 48, 67 occupied territories and the Diaspora.
 
° Building the international solidarity movement.
 
° Arab-Jewish partnership in struggle.
 
Languages: All major discussions will be held in Arabic, Hebrew and English with simultaneous translation.
 
www.ror1state.org
 
See full announcement:
www.antiimperialista.org/en/node/6398

Top Ten Reasons to Attend the ADC Convention!

Washington, DC | www.adc.org | April 12, 2010 - Register TODAY for ADC's 30^th Anniversary National Convention and receive the discounted early-bird full registration package! Click here to register online. You can also register by phone, 202-244-2990 or by email convention@adc.org 

WHAT:              ADC's 30^th Anniversary National Convention, the largest Arab-American event and the premier Arab-American national gathering, with attendees from throughout the United States and worldwide. The theme of this year's historic convention is, "Thirty Years of  Advocacy and Achievement:  Strengthening the Voice of Equality and Justice." 

WHEN:             June 4 - 6, 2010 

WHERE:          Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel

                           2660 Woodley Road, NW Washington, DC 20008 

WHO:                You!

TOP TEN REASONS TO ATTEND THE ADC CONVENTION!

1. Substantive and Interactive Panels discussing issues pertaining to the Arab-American community.  Topics include:  Civil Rights, Palestine, Foreign Policy, Media, and Performing Arts. Click here for brief program.

2. Distinguished Speakers -- An opportunity to interact and engage with leading authorities on issues pertaining to domestic and foreign policy.  Among others, already confirmed is the Honorable Eric J. Holder, Jr., Attorney General of the United States. 

3. Great Opportunity to Strategize and Network -- interact with fellow members and meet other Arab-Americans from all over the U.S. 

4. ADC Souk -- exhibitors, vendors, and art displays provide you an opportunity to learn about diverse initiatives and to buy authentic and exclusive cultural items.

5. FIVE Three-Course Meals, including a reception at an Arab Embassy, a Civil Rights Luncheon, a 30^th Anniversary Celebration Luncheon, the Annual Palestine Luncheon, and the Saturday Gala.

6. An Excuse to Come to Our Beautiful Nation's Capital, Washington, DC --  Free museums, the White House, the U.S. Capitol, the Library of Congress, the U.S. Supreme Court, Monuments and Memorial tours, and the Khalil Gibran Memorial.

7. Discount on Hotel Rooms -- ADC secured a low rate of $139/night at the luxurious Marriott Wardman Park hotel.   Amenities include an outdoor pool, full spa and health club.

8. Entertainment -- Live in-house entertainment, music and dancing at the Haflehs both Friday and Saturday nights, which are included in the registration package.

9. Saturday Night Gala­ -- the premier evening in the Arab-American community.  Stay tuned for this year's surprise invitee. 

10. Value -- all of the above for only $239, if you register by April 30^th (too good an opportunity to pass up!)

The ADC Annual National Convention happens only once a year.

Come celebrate with ADC June 4 - 6, 2010. 

To find out more about what's in store and sign up TODAY for your discounted early-bird full registration package log on to: www.adc.org/convention!

Contact: convention@adc.org 

                Laila Mokhiber, 202-244-2990

NOTE TO EDITORS: The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), which is non-profit, non-sectarian and non-partisan, is the largest Arab-American civil rights organization in the United States. It was founded in 1980 by former Senator James Abourezk to protect the civil rights of people of Arab descent in the United States and to promote the cultural heritage of the Arabs. ADC has 38 chapters nationwide, including chapters in every major city in the country, and members in all 50 states. 

The ADC Research Institute (ADC-RI), which was founded in 1981, is a Section 501(c)(3) educational organization that sponsors a wide range of programs on behalf of Arab Americans and of importance to all Americans. ADC-RI programs include research studies, seminars, conferences and publications that document and analyze the discrimination faced by Arab Americans in the workplace, schools, media, and governmental agencies and institutions. ADC-RI also celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the Arabs.