December, 29 2008, 03:46pm EDT
The National Lawyers Guild Condemns Illegal Israeli Massacre of over 300 Gazans
Calls for Ceasefire and Urges Participation in Protests
WASHINGTON
The National Lawyers Guild (NLG) condemns Israel's massive bombardment
of the Gaza Strip which has left over 300 dead and 1,400 wounded, with
the tolls mounting. The Israeli Air Force dropped more than 100 bombs
in dozens of locations throughout the Gaza Strip as children left
school on Saturday. The dead include men, women and children in school
uniforms.
"International law forbids the targeting of
civilians," said Radhika Sainath, a civil rights attorney and member of
the Free Gaza Committee of the NLG. "Israel must comply with laws of
war and the Fourth Geneva Convention." Today's massacre marks an
escalation of Israel's two-year blockade of the Strip which has
deprived 1.5 million Palestinians of necessary food, medicine, fuel and
other necessities. In November 2008, the United Nations stated that it
had run out of food to feed over 750,000 needy Gazans.
Israel
claims that the attack is in response to Palestinian rocket fire, which
caused no recent Israeli deaths and few injuries. However, Israel's
"rolling bombardment" and impending ground invasion is grossly
disproportionate in light of the minimal damage caused by Palestinian
rockets. "The law of war prohibits collective punishment and the
targeting of a civilian population disproportionate to military
necessity. Israel has flouted both these prohibitions, that follow its
illegal occupation of Palestinian territory and its sealing of Gaza,
subjecting Gazans to near starvation," said Marjorie Cohn, NLG
president and a professor of international law at Thomas Jefferson
School of Law. "The Human Rights and Security Assistance Act mandates
that the United States cease all military aid to Israel, which has
engaged in a consistent pattern of gross violations of internationally
recognized human rights."
Israeli military spokesman Avi
Benayahu stated that the Israeli bombardment of Gaza was "only just the
beginning," showing utter contempt for international norms and the
lives of innocent Palestinians. The Guild calls on the entire
international community, and the United States in particular, to demand
an end to Israel's blockade of the Occupied Territories and its
murderous assault on the Palestinian people. We urge everyone to join
in the demonstrations planned across the country in opposition to this
latest attack on the rule of law by Israel and we call on both sides to
immediately reinstate the cease fire.
Founded in 1937 as an
alternative to the American Bar Association, which did not admit people
of color, the National Lawyers Guild is the oldest and largest public
interest/human rights bar organization in the United States. Its
headquarters are in New York and it has chapters in every state.
Planned demonstrations and protests: 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 Diego Tuesday, December 30, 4:00 p.m. Federal Building 880 Front Street
San Francisco
Sunday, December 28, 12:00PM Protest the Massacres in Gaza Powell and Market Contact: Arab Resource and Organizing Center
Monday, December 29, 5:00PM Silent Vigil at Feinstein's Office, Montgomery and Market Co-Sponsored by Direct Action to Stop the War; the Middle East Children's Alliance; Queers Undermining Israeli Terrorism; SF Women in Black
Tuesday, December 30, 5:00PM Israeli Consulate, 456 Montgomery St Powell and Market Contact: 415-821-6545 answer@answersf.org
COLORADO
Denver
Tuesday, December 30, 5:00PM Meet on the West side of the Capitol Contact: Rima, 303-829-5848
CONNECTICUT
New Haven
Wednesday, December 31, 12PM Federal Building, 141 Church St (between Chapel and Elm Sts.) Sponsored by Middle East Crisis Committee, ANSWER-CT and other local organizations Contact: 203-606-0319, connecticut@answercoalition.org
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Washington, DC
Monday, December 29, 4:30PM Barack Obama Transition Office 451 6th St. NW (1 block from Verizon Center) Contact: 301-523-4197 or email me at zelamine@gmail.com
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
Ocala
Tuesday, December 30, 12:00 pm Cather
near the Ocala Lockheed facility, located in the SE quadrant of the
county just off Maricamp Road (Rte 464) near Emerald and Oak Sponsored by: Marions for Peace, CFCC students and Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW)
Contact: Marions for Peace, Delphine Herbert, MarionsforPeace@gmail.com
Tampa
Tuesday, December 30, 4:30 pm N Dale Mabry Hwy and W Spruce St
GEORGIA
Atlanta
Sunday, December 28, 2:00PM Outside the Israeli Consulate, 1100 Spring St. NW Contact: Emory Advocates for Justice in Palestine, 770-597-0276 or 404-844-3202
Tuesday, December 30, 4:00PM Outside the Israeli Consulate, 1100 Spring St. NW Organizers: Emory Advocate for Justice in Palestine and other local groups Contact details:Saba Khalid, 770-597-0276, skhali3@emory.edu HAWAII
Honolulu
Tuesday, December 30, 4-6PM At the Federal Building (along Ala Moana Blvd.)
Initiated by Friends of Sabeel Hawaii, with support from World Can't Wait-Hawaii, and others.
ILLINOIS
Chicago
Sunday, December 28, 12:00PM-2:00PM Bring
bouquets of flowers to commemorate the memory of the hundreds of
Palestinians in Gaza who have been killed by Israeli bombardments today Water Tower Park 830 N. Michigan (Michigan and Pearson)
Sponsored by (list in formation): American
Friends Service Committee, Jewish Voice for Peace, Arab American Action
Network, Arab Jewish Partnership for Peace and Justice in the Middle
East, American Arab Anti Discrimination-Chicago Chapter, Chicago
Coalition Against War and Racism, Chicago Faith Coalition on Middle
East Policy, Voices for Creative Non-Violence, International Solidarity
Movement-Chicago Chapter, US Palestine Conference Network, Students for
Justice in Palestine (UIC), American Muslims for Palestine, Muslim
American Society (MAS) Freedom Foundation, Mosque Foundation,
Tikkun-Chicago, Wright College Students for Peace and Justice, Fight
Back Newspaper.
Separate event in Chicago: Details to be announced Contact: 773-463-0311, answer@chicagoanswer.net
Friday, January 2, 2009, 3:00PM Tribune Plaza, 435 N Michigan
KENTUCKY
Louisville
Monday, December 29, 4-6PM Broadway and Baxter across from Cave Hill cemetery
MAINE
STAND WITH GAZA Friday, January 2nd at noon until 1:00pmMarket Square Portland, Maine
Contact: Jamilla El-Shafei email: jamillaelshafei@gmail.com cell 603.969.8426 Contact: Wells Stanley-Mays email: drinkinggourd@hotmail.com phone: 207.774.1110
Moment Square on Friday, January 2nd at noon
MARYLAND
Columbia
Saturday, January 17, 2009, 3:30PM Howard County Central Library (Little Patuxent Pkwy and South Entrance Road)
Contact: Howard County Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation (HCCEIO), Joanne Heisel, joanne_kh@usa.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
Brookline
Sunday, December 28, 3PM-5PM Coolidge Corner, Harvard and Beacon Streets
Northampton and Hadley
Monday, December 29, 7:30AM-9:00AM and 4:00PM-5:00PM Coolidge Bridge between Northampton and Hadley Contact: Paki paki43@gmail.com
MICHIGAN
Dearborn
Monday, December 29, 6PM Community Leadership Meeting Lebanese American Heritage Club ,4337 Maple Road Contact: Congress of Arab American Organizations, Osama Siblani / 313.505.4889
Tuesday, December 30, 4PM Human Chain Protest Gathering
at corner of Warren and Chase in Dearborn. Following the protest a
memorial service will be held at Byblos Banquet Hall, 7258 Chase Road
in Dearborn at 5:15 PM. Program will end at 6:30 PM. Contact: Congress of Arab American Organizations, Osama Siblani / 313.505.4889
Kalamazoo
Tuesday, December 30, 4PM Michigan Ave in front of the Federal Buildng
MINNESOTA
Various
Protests at Senator Amy Klobuchar and Congressman Keith Ellison's offices Tuesday December 30th 10 am-closing
No "holding their feet to the fire" but instead hold them accountable.
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar Office of Senator Klobuchar
Minneapolis 1200 Washington Avenue South, Suite 250 Minneapolis, MN 55415 Main Line: 612-727-5220 Main Fax: 612-727-5223 Toll Free: 1-888-224-9043
Rochester Office 1134 7th Street NW Rochester, MN 55901 Main Line: 507-288-5321 Fax: 507-288-2922
Moorhead Office 121 4th Street South Moorhead, MN 56560 Main Line: 218-287-2219 Fax: 218-287-2930
Iron Range Office Olcott Plaza, Suite 105 820 9th Street North Virginia, MN 55792 Main Line: 218-741-9690 Fax:218-741-3692
Keith Ellison office
Minneapolis office is located at: 2100 Plymouth Ave North Minneapolis, MN 55411 For directions you can call our office, 612-522-1212
MISSOURI
St. Louis
Sunday, December 28, 7PM 3628 Lindell, corner of Grand and Lindell Contact: Colleen Kelly, Instead of War, 314-761-7428
Monday, December 29, 4-6PM Protest at Senator Bond's Office, 7700 Bonhomme Contact: Colleen Kelly, Instead of War, 314-761-7428
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Concord Tuesday, December 30, 3PM In front of the State House Contact: New Hampshire Peace Action, 603-228-0559
NEW JERSEY
New Brunswick Tuesday, December 30, 4-6PM Corner of Albany and George Sts.
NEW MEXICO
Albuquerque
Tuesday, December 30, 12-2PM New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science 1801 Mountain Rd, NW (in Old Town) Contact: Called by Stop the War Machine, 505-401-4808, stopthewarmachine@comcast.net
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.
We
welcome you to join us and we encourage other organizations to choose
their own flyering locations and then to join the procession.
We
will all meet-up for the procession up 6th Ave at 6:30. We will be
meeting at the triangular park at 6th Av. & 32nd Street. Look for
the Palestinian Flag.
Contact
Monday, December 29, 7:00 pm 55 W 17th St, 5th Fl. Manhattan between 5th & 6th Aves Informational Action Center Tuesday, December 30, 5:00 pm Israeli Consulate: 800 2nd Ave (b/w 42nd and 43rd Sts) Contact: 212-694-8720, nyc@answercoalition.org
Rochester
Tuesday, December 30, 4:00PM-5:00PM Demonstration in front of Federal Building Contact: Mike Connely, 271-2678
OHIO
Cleveland
Monday, December 29, 4:30PM Public Square, across from Tower City
Contact: Middle East Peace Forum, Don Bryant, donmbryant@yahoo.com
Columbus
Sunday December 28th, 5:00 PM Ohio State University - Committee for Justice in Palestine 15th and High St. Columbus, Ohio
Youngstown
Monday, December 29, 5-9PM Vigil 15 Belgrade Ave. Sponsored by: Arab American Community Center of Greater Youngstown
Contact: Arab American Community Center, 330-759-9186 Tuesday, December 30, 1-3PM Demonstration In front of the Thomas D. Lambros Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, 125 Market St Contact: Arab American Community Center, 330-759-9186
ONTARIO
Toronto
Sunday, December 28, 2:00 pm Israeli Embassy Consulate: 180 Bloor St. West Initiated by a number of local organizations
OREGON
Eugene
Monday, December 29, 2-5PM Al-Nakba
Awareness Project and Veterans for Peace will erect signage and provide
detailed handout materials along the high-traffic Ferry Street Bridge
approach parkway.
Portland
Tuesday December 30, 2008 Gather at 4:30 and Rally 5:00 pm Where: Federal Building, Downtown Portland, SW 3rd & Madison Organized by: Americans United for Palestinian Human Rights, Portland Peaceful Response Coalition, and others.
Contact: (503) 344-5078
PENNSYLVANIA
Philadelphia Monday, December 29, 4:30PM Demonstration at Israeli Consulate, 1880 JFK Blvd Contact: Sue Rouda, 215-724-1618, sue.rouda@gmail.com
Tuesday, December 30, 4:30PM Demonstration at Israeli Consulate, 1880 JFK Blvd Contact: Sue Rouda, 215-724-1618, sue.rouda@gmail.com
RHODE ISLAND
Providence
Sunday, December 28, 12:00-2:00PM Federal Building Contact: Martha Yager, AFSC-SENE, 401-521-3584 or MYager@afsc.org
Wednesday, December 31, 6-7PM Burnside Park (opposite Kennedy Plaza) Contact: Martha Yager, AFSC-SENE, 401-521-3584 or MYager@afsc.org
SOUTH CAROLINA
Columbia
Wednesday, December 31, 5-6PM In front of the State Capitol Building Gervais and Main St. Contact: Women in Black, 803-446-2772 TEXAS
Austin
Monday, December 29, 5PM-7PM In front of the State Capitol, 11th and Congress Contact: Haithem El-Zabri, cell. (512) 772-1948, e-mail haithemelzabri@yahoo.com
Dallas
Tuesday, December 30, 2008, 12:00PM-3:00PM In front of JFK Memorial on the Grassy Knoll
Friday, January 2, 2009, 3:30PM Dallas Forth Worth Protest, Earl Cabell Federal Building, 1100 Commerce St Contact: Suha Suleiman, drsuha@tm.blackberry.net
Houston
Sunday, December 28, 2008, 4-6PM Westheimer and Post Oak (in front of the Starbucks across the Galleria) Contact: Houston Palestinian Community
Monday, December 29, 2008, 4-6PM Israeli Consulate (Wesleyan near US 59) Contact: Palestinian American Bridge, Mohamed Abu-Hussein, 713-240-9766
Tuesday, December 30, 2008, 4-5:30PM Gather at Mandell Bridge (Mandell St at Highway 59) Contact: rwcsr1@yahoo.com
San Antonio
Tuesday, December 30, 6-7PM Candle Light Silent Prayer Vigil for Peace Around the Peace Pole in front of the Brackenridge Village, University of the Incarnate Word, enter at 4301 Broadway
You are invited to bring candles. VERMONT Burlington
Tuesday, December 30, 4:15PM Main St. Landing, Burlington 1 Main St.; corner of Main & Battery Sts.)
MEET in Burlington at Main Street Landing at 4:15 to march to Representative Welch's, Senator Leahy's, and to Senator Bernie Sander's offices, to arrive at the top of Church St. at 5pm to stand in solidarity with the vigil opposing further war profiteering and war crimes--the US Occupation of Iraq.
This march is endorsed by Vermonters for a Just Peace in Palestine/Israel (VTJP), Peace and Justice Center, and the International Socialist Organization (ISO).
TO ENDORSE THIS ACTION OR FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: hilarymartin@riseup.net or gypsy7@riseup.net
Montpellier Tuesday, December 30, 4:30PM Vigil in front of City Hall on Main St Contact: Debra, 802-476-3154, debra@vtlink.net
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
Tacoma Tuesday, December 30, 2008, 5:00pm In front of the Courthouse at Pacific Ave and 19th St
ARIZONA
Phoenix, AZ Tuesday, December 30 4:30 PM Gather at Thomas Road and Central Light Rail Station Sponsored by CODEPINK Phoenix and The End The War Coalition
CALIFORNIA
Albion, CA Monday, December 29 12 noon Jct Rte 1 & Albion Ridge Road Contact: 707-472-6486, hughmurray98@yahoo.com
Anaheim, CA (Orange County) Sunday, December 28 2:00 pm 512 S. Brookhurst St. (between Orange Ave. & Broadway) Initiated by a coalition with a large number of groups
Fort Bragg, CA Monday, December 29 12 noon Rte 1 at Fort Bragg Town Hall Rally Contact: 707-937-4352, bc@albionnation.org
Los Angeles, CA Tuesday, December 30 4:30 pm Israeli Consulate: 6380 Wilshire Blvd. Contact: 213-251-1025, answerla@answerla.org
Sacramento, CA Tuesday, December 30 4:00-6:00 pm Gather at 16th and J Sponsored
by Sacramento Peace Action; Free Palestine Alliance; the National
Council of Arab Americans, & Al-Awda, the Palestine Right of Return
Coalition Contact: 916-448-7157
San Francisco, CA Tuesday, December 30 5:00 pm Israeli Consulate:456 Montgomery St. Contact: 415-821-6545, answer@answersf.org * * * * * Monday, December 29 5:00 pm Vigil at Sen. Dianne Feinstein's Office: Montgomery and Market Co-Sponsored by a number of local organizations
Santa Rosa, CA Tuesday, December 30 5:30 pm Courthouse Square: Santa Rosa Avenue downtown Sponsored by the Board of the Peace and Justice Center of Sonoma County Contact: cognizant2@hotmail.com
COLORADO
Colorado Springs, CO Tuesday, December 30 4:30-5:30 pm Meet downtown at Acacia Park, corner of Nevada Ave and Bijou St Sponsored by a PROTEST COLORADO antiwar coalition. Contact: 719.460.2836, info@protestcolorado.org CONNECTICUT
New Haven, CT Wednesday, December 31 12 noon Federal Building: 141 Church St. (between Chapel and Elm St) Sponsored by Middle East Crisis Committee, ANSWER-CT and other local organizations Contact: 203-606-0319, connecticut@answercoalition.org * * * * * Saturday, December 27 1:00 pm Federal Building: 141 Church St. (between Chapel and Elm St) Initiated by local organizations
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Washington, D.C. Tuesday, December 30 4:30 pm State Department: 22nd St & C St NW Contact: 202-544-3389 x14, dc@answercoalition.org
FLORIDA
Fort Lauderdale, FL Tuesday, December 30 5:00 pm Federal Building: 299 E. Broward Blvd. Contact: 954-707-0155, FtLauderdale@answerfl.org
Ocala, FL Tuesday, December 30 12 noon Gather
near the Ocala Lockheed facility, located in the southeast quadrant of
the county just off Maricamp Road (route 464) near Emerald and Oak Sponsored by Marions for Peace, CFCC students and Iraqi veterans against the war
Tampa, FL Tuesday, December 30 4:30 pm N Dale Mabry Hwy and W Spruce St. Contact: 813-785-3179
HAWAII
Honolulu, HI Tuesday, December 30 4:00-6:00 pm Prince Kuhio Federal Building: 300 Ala Moana Blvd. (near the Ewa end of the building) Sponsored by Friends of Sabeel--Hawaii
ILLINOIS
Chicago, IL Sunday, December 28 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm Water Tower Park: 830 N. Michigan Ave. Initiated by a number of local organizations Get involved with ANSWER in Chicago: 773-463-0311, answer@chicagoanswer.net
LOUISIANA
New Orleans, LA Monday, December 29 12 noon - 2:00 pm Corner of Canal Street and Convention Center Blvd, at the base of Canal street, across from Harrah's Casino Sponsored
by the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee of New Orleans, New
Orleans Palestine Solidarity, and many other organizations and
individuals
MASSACHUSETTS
Boston, MA Tuesday, December 30 5:00 pm Consulate General of Israel: 20 Park Plaza (Green Line to Arlington Stop) Contact: 857-334-5084, boston@answercoalition.org * * * * * Wednesday, December 31 2:00PM Copley Square Sponsored by the Boston Coalition for Palestinian Rights Contact: info@bcpr.net, (617) 491-2313 * * * * * Monday, December 29 4:00-7:00 pm Stand
in solidarity at Harvard Sq (in front of Holyoke Center), Watertown Sq,
Roxbury Crossing, Coolidge Corner, Arlington Center, or go out with
friends and signs at busy intersections in your community Northampton / Hadley, MA Monday, December 29 7:30-9:00 am AND 4:00-5:00 pm Coolidge Bridge (Hadley/Northampton) Northampton, MA Saturday, January 3 12 noon Courthouse on Main Street
MICHIGAN
Ann Arbor, MI Tuesday, December 30 12 noon - 1:00 pm Federal Building: Liberty and Fifth Ave. Sponsored by the Ann Arbor Coalition Against the War
Dearborn, MI Tuesday, December 30 4:00 pm Gathering at corner of Warren and Chase in Dearborn Memorial service at Byblos Banquet Hall, 7258 Chase Road in Dearborn, 5:15-6:30 pm Sponsored by the Congress of Arab American Organizations (CAAO)
Kalamazoo, MI Tuesday, December 30 4:00 pm Federal Building: Michigan Avenue and Park Avenue Sponsored by Kalamazoo Nonviolent Opponents of War (KNOW)
MINNESOTA
Minneapolis, MN Tuesday, December 30 10:00 am - 5:00 pm, Press Conference at 1:00 pm 1) Office of Senator Amy Klobuchar: 1200 Washington Avenue South (main event) 2) Office of Congressperson Keith Ellison: 2100 Plymouth Ave North (presence) Contact: 612-327-6902, ollamhfaery@earthlink.net Sponsored and Endorsed by Women Against Military Madness, Coalition For Palestinian Rights
NEW JERSEY
New Brunswick, NJ Tuesday, December 30 4:00-6:00 pm Gather at corner of Albany and George Streets NEW MEXICO
Albuquerque, NM Tuesday, December 30 12 noon - 2:00 pm New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science: 1801 Mountain Rd, NW (in Old Town) Called by Stop the War Machine Contact: 505-401-4808, stopthewarmachine@comcast.net * * * * * Tuesday, December 30 5:00 pm Pete V. Domenici Federal Courthouse: 333 Lomas Blvd. NW Sponsored by a coalition of many groups, led by the Middle East Peace & Justice Alliance Contact: 505-842-0535
NEW YORK
New York City, NY Tuesday, December 30 5:00 pm Israeli Consulate: 800 2nd Ave (b/w 42nd and 43rd Sts) Contact: 212-694-8720, nyc@answercoalition.org * * * * * Sunday, December 28 2:00-4:00 pm Gather at Rockefeller Center: 50th St. and 5th Ave. March to the Israeli Consulate: 800 2nd Ave (b/w 42nd and 43rd Sts) Initiated by Al-Awda New York
Rochester, NY Tuesday, December 30 4:00-5:00 pm Federal Building Contact: peaceactiontaskforce@lists.riseup.net, 585-271-2678 OHIO
Cincinnati, OH Tuesday, December 30 5:00 pm Clifton Ave & Martin Luther King Dr W Contact: 513-484-9116
Cleveland, OH Monday, December 29 4:30-6:00 pm Public Square Downtown
Columbus, OH Sunday, December 28 5:00 pm Gather at 15th and High St. Sponsored by the Ohio State University - Committee for Justice in Palestine
Youngstown, OH Vigil Monday, December 29 5:00-9:00pm Arab American Community Center: 15 Belgrade Ave, Youngstown, OH 44505 (off Belmont between Gypsy & Colonial) Sponsored by the Arab American Community Center of Greater Youngstown * * * * * Demonstration Tuesday, December 30 1:00-3:00pm Thomas D. Lambros Federal Bldg & U.S. Courthouse: 125 Market Street, Youngstown, OH 44503 Sponsored by the Arab American Community Center of Greater Youngstown
OREGON
Portland, OR Tuesday December 30 Gather at 4:30, Rally at 5:00 pm Federal Building, Downtown Portland, SW 3rd & Madison Organized by: Americans United for Palestinian Human Rights, Portland Peaceful Response Coalition, and others
PENNSYLVANIA
Philadelphia, PA Tuesday, December 30 3:30 pm City Hall at 15th and locust * * * * * Monday, December 29 4:30 pm Israeli Consulate: 1880 JFK Blvd. Contact: 215-724-1618, phillyiac@action-mail.org Sponsored by International Action Center
SOUTH CAROLINA
Columbia, SC Wednesday, December 31 5:00 pm State Capitol: Gervais and Main Streets Sponsored
by Columbia Women in Black, Carolina Peace Resource Center, Muslim
Student Association at the University of South Carolina
SOUTH DAKOTA
Sioux Falls, SD Tuesday, December 30 10:00-11:00 am Federal Building: 12th & Phillips Contact: sodak@answercoalition.org
TEXAS
Austin, TX Monday, December 29 5:00 pm State Capitol: 11th & Congress Contact: contact@palestineonlinestore.com Initiated by a number of local organizations
Dallas, TX Tuesday December 30 12:00 noon - 3:00 pm Grassy Knoll near Kennedy Museum, Elm St. Contact: Raed Sbeit 214-798-7624, muslim1976@yahoo.com OR Obaida Hitto 214-274-1687, obaida.hitto@hotmail.com
Houston, TX Tuesday, December 30 4:00-5:30 pm Gather at Mandell Bridge (Mandell St. at Hwy. 59) Contact: 713-771-9439, rwcsr1@yahoo.com
WASHINGTON
Seattle, WA Tuesday, December 30 4:00 pm Federal Building: 915 2nd Ave Initiated by Voices of Palestine Contact: general@voicesofpalestine.org * * * * * Saturday, January 3 12:00 noon - 2:00 pm Westlake Park: 4th and Pine Initiated by Voices of Palestine Contact: general@voicesofpalestine.org
Tacoma, WA Tuesday, December 30 5:00 pm Federal Courthouse: 1717 Pacific Ave. (at 19th St.) Protesters are asked to bring signs, candles, and flashlights
The National Lawyers Guild (NLG) works to promote human rights and the rights of ecosystems over property interests. It was founded in 1937 as the first national, racially-integrated bar association in the U.S.
(212) 679-5100LATEST NEWS
Liberal Justices Grill Attorney in Supreme Court Case on Criminalizing Homelessness
"Where are they supposed to sleep? Are they supposed to kill themselves not sleeping?" asked Justice Sonia Sotomayor of unhoused people who have been barred from sleeping outside in Grants Pass, Oregon.
Apr 22, 2024
As housing rights advocates and people who have been unhoused themselves rallied outside the U.S. Supreme Court Monday to demand an end to the criminalization of homelessness, the court's three liberal justices demanded to know how the city of Grants Pass, Oregon can penalize residents who take part in an act necessary for human survival—sleeping—just because they are forced to do so outside.
After an attorney representing Grants Pass, Thomas Evangelis, described sleeping in public as a form of "conduct," Justice Elena Kagan disputed the claim and reminded Evangelis that he was presenting a legal argument in favor of policing "a biological necessity."
"Presumably you would not think that it's okay to criminalize breathing in public," said Kagan, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama. "And for a homeless person who has no place to go, sleeping in public is kind of like breathing in public."
Evangelis is representing the city in Grants Pass v. Johnson, a case stemming from a 2018 lawsuit filed by an unhoused woman, Debra Blake, who accused officials of "trying to run homeless people out of town."
"On any given day or night, hundreds of individuals in Grants Pass, Oregon, are forced to live outside due to the lack of emergency shelter and affordable housing in their community," the original lawsuit stated.
The city has passed ordinances banning people from sleeping or camping on publicly owned property, with violators subject to fines of hundreds of dollars.
A lower court ruled that the city's bans were in violation of the Eighth Amendment, which bans excessive fines and cruel and unusual punishment, "when there was no other place in the city for [unhoused persons] to go."
The city's only homeless shelter, Gospel Rescue Mission, has 138 beds, and the plaintiffs have said there is frequently no room for many of the hundreds of unhoused people in Grants Pass.
On Monday, Justice Sonia Sotomayor appeared inclined to agree with the plaintiff in the original lawsuit who claimed Grants Pass ultimately wanted unhoused people to leave the city. She pointed to comments city officials have made about their aim "to remove every homeless person and give them no public space."
"Wasn't Grant Pass's first-attempt policy choice to put people, homeless people, on buses so they would leave the city?" she asked Deputy United States Solicitor General Edwin Kneedler. "Police officers would buy them a bus ticket, send them out of the city. But that didn't work because people came back because it had been their home... So then they passed this law, and didn't the City Council president say, 'Our intent is to make it so uncomfortable here that they'll move down the road,' meaning out of town, correct?"
Kneedler acknowledged that the statement was made at a City Council meeting.
"Not only is [sleeping] something that everybody engages in, but it's something that everybody has to engage in to be alive," Kneedler said in response to a question from Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. "So if you can't sleep, you can't live, and therefore by prohibiting sleeping, the city is basically saying you cannot live in Grants Pass."
The city argued in its case that prohibiting local officials from regulating and banning homeless encampments in public places would cause more people to sleep outdoors—an argument U.S. Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.), speaking at the rally outside the court, said exposed "how absurd our country's approach to the unhoused crisis is."
"Instead of enacting real solutions to the unhoused crisis, Grants Pass has taken this case all the way to the Supreme Court and is calling for the court to overturn a landmark decision from 1962 that says the government cannot punish people based on status. So we're here today to demand the Supreme Court support humanity, adhere to constitutional precedent, and protect the rights of our unhoused neighbors," said Bush, who has spoken about previously being unhoused herself and sponsored related legislation.
"A person should never be punished for not being able to afford rent or a home," Bush added. "A person should never be punished for sleeping outside or in a car when they have no other place to go. A person should never be punished for simply existing. We need universal housing, universal housing vouchers, and a permanent federal rental assistance program—these are all tangible steps that would actually solve this crisis."
The case arrived at the high court four months after the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development released annual data showing a 12% increase in homelessness last year from 2022, largely due to a sharp rise in the number of people who were without housing in 2023 for the first time in their lives. Experts often argue the federal figures are an undercount.
On Monday, the Eviction Lab at Princeton University released new data showing that in 25 of the 32 cities it analyzed, an increase in eviction filings was seen between 2022-23.
"The country lacks millions of units of affordable rental housing, and in those units that are available, a record number of tenants are paying well beyond their means," reported the Eviction Lab. "High interest rates prevent younger, middle-class renters from buying homes, which in turn increases demand in the rental sector."
Considering the dynamics contributing to a growing unhoused population, Sotomayor asked of people facing homelessness in Grants Pass: "Where are they supposed to sleep? Are they supposed to kill themselves not sleeping?"
The conservatives on the Supreme Court, who make up the majority, signaled a willingness to rule in favor of the city, with Chief Justice John Roberts acknowledging that the case is centered on "a policy problem because the solution, of course, is to build shelter to provide shelter for those who are otherwise harmless," but noting that "municipalities have competing priorities."
The answer to the questions being asked at the Supreme Court Monday "is not complicated," said Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.). "Unhoused people need housing. Housing is the answer. Housing NOT Handcuffs."
Ramirez repeated a phrase that was seen on many signs held by rally attendees, who included the national grassroots economic justice group VOCAL and organizers with the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and the National Homelessness Law Center (NHLC).
"What the Supreme Court decides in this case will say a lot about what kind of country we are and what country we want to be," said Efrén Olivares, director of strategic litigation and advocacy at the SPLC. "We demand a future without policies like the one before the court and a government that instead works to ensure that the right to affordable housing is guaranteed for all."
A ruling in the case is expected in June.
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Green Groups Cheer $7 Billion in 'Solar for All' Grants
"Solar for All is exactly the type of investment the country needs to re-imagine our clean energy future," said one campaigner. "It's great to see President Biden jumpstart this landmark program."
Apr 22, 2024
Climate action advocates on Monday celebrated the Biden administration's Earth Day announcement that it is distributing $7 billion in Solar for All grants "to develop long-lasting solar programs that enable low-income and disadvantaged communities to deploy and benefit from distributed residential solar, lowering energy costs for families, creating good-quality jobs in communities that have been left behind, advancing environmental justice, and tackling climate change."
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the awards—which are going to 60 applicants, including states, territories, tribal governments, municipalities, and nonprofits—will fund solar projects that positively impact over 900,000 households nationwide while reducing 30 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions. The grant competition was made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act, which President Joe Biden signed in August 2022.
"The United States can and must lead the world in transforming our energy systems away from fossil fuels," said Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who joined Biden on Monday to announce the solar grants—$62.45 million in funding will go to his state—and the Vermont Climate Corps.
"The Solar for All program—that I successfully championed—will not only combat the existential threat of climate change by making solar energy available to working class families, it will also substantially lower the electric bills of Americans and create thousands of good-paying jobs," noted Sanders. "This is a win for the environment, a win for consumers, and a win for the economy."
The Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation and Indigenized Energy will get over $135 million to work on solar projects in tribal communities across five states.
Cody Two Bears, executive director of Indigenized Energy, said that the award "will serve as a catalyst for tribes and energy justice communities like ours who are leading the way in building our own clean energy systems within our lands."
"This is a once-in-a-generation award that will begin to transform how tribes achieve energy sovereignty," Two Bears added. "The shift from extractive energy to regenerative energy systems will be the legacy we leave for our future generations."
Two massive victories today! @POTUS announces the #AmericanClimateCorps, putting young people to work in good jobs combating climate change AND the Solar for All program w/ $7B for solar in disadvantaged communities. \n\nThis is the FDR-level ambition we\u2019ve been calling for! \ud83d\udc4f\ud83c\udf89— (@)
Margie Alt, director of Climate Action Campaign (CAC), a coalition of a dozen national groups, highlighted both the emissions cuts and that in low-income communities across the United States, "families will see savings—approximately $400 per household."
"The president also announced the launch of the ClimateCorps.gov—a new website featuring 2,000 new job listings in climate and conservation," she pointed out. After years of pressure from campaigners, Biden in September announced the American Climate Corps, which was inspired by former President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation Corps.
"We're thankful to the Biden administration for making these priorities a reality," said Alt. "While Republicans in Congress make every attempt to roll back climate progress, climate champions in Congress and throughout the administration are standing strong in their commitment to America's clean energy future; a future where all Americans have access to clean energy, good-paying jobs in the clean energy industry, and see direct savings from this clean energy boom."
I\u2019ve pushed for a Climate Corps to create jobs while protecting our health, planet, and future\u2014so it\u2019s wonderful to see @POTUS marking Earth Day this year with major investments in both the American Climate Corps and @EPA\u2019s Solar for All program! We need bold action on climate.— (@)
Paula GarcÃa, senior energy analyst and energy justice lead at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), which is part of the CAC coalition, also applauded the awards, saying that "the Solar for All grant program is a key part of the larger suite of clean energy investments advanced by President Biden and Congress that will help the United States combat climate change."
"Directing investments toward low-income and disadvantaged communities is imperative to ensuring a just transition to clean energy," GarcÃa stressed. "If we don't prioritize these populations, we risk exacerbating historical injustices and piling additional burdens on those who have been disproportionately affected by environmental harm."
"The announcement of these grants is an important step forward," she continued. "While UCS research has shown clearly that more ambition is needed to meet climate goals, phase out fossil fuels, and advance environmental justice, the Solar for All program will help create much needed momentum toward ensuring the many benefits of a decarbonized economy, including public health protections, reduced consumer energy costs, and increased energy resilience, are reaching everyone."
.@POTUS just announced $7b to fund residential solar projects. It will: \n\u26a1\ufe0fPower nearly a million low-income households\n\ud83d\udcb5 Save each household in the program $400 a year\n\ud83d\udc77\ud83c\udffe Create 200,000 jobs\n\nThis program is a key step towards the #GreenNewDeal.\n\nhttps://t.co/9LxOnz13FI— (@)
Jean Su, who directs the Center for Biological Diversity's Energy Justice program, similarly said that "Solar for All is exactly the type of investment the country needs to re-imagine our clean energy future."
"Broad community-based solar is our brightest hope for protecting people and our climate from the scourge of fossil fuels," she added. "These targeted investments mean low-income families get clean energy that is affordable, resilient, and protects our ecosystems. It's great to see President Biden jumpstart this landmark program. I look forward to its expansion, along with steps to curb fossil fuels with a climate emergency declaration."
Her group and the youth-led Sunrise Movement are among the organizations that have long demanded a climate emergency declaration from Biden, who is reportedly reconsidering it in the wake of the hottest year in human history and as he prepares for a November rematch against former Republican President Donald Trump—whose election could mean a surge in planet-heating pollution, according to an analysis published last month.
Emphasizing the difference between the Democratic Party and the GOP, climate reporter David Roberts called the solar grants "amazing stuff that would not happen if Republicans were in charge" and said, "Thanks Biden!"
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West Bank Pogrom 'Underscores Urgent Need to Dismantle Apartheid': Amnesty
"The appalling spike in settler violence against Palestinians in recent days is part of a decadeslong state-backed campaign to dispossess, displace, and oppress Palestinians in the occupied West Bank," said one Amnesty official.
Apr 22, 2024
Amnesty International said Monday that the ongoing surge in deadly violence by Israeli settlers and soldiers in the West Bank "underscores [the] urgent need to dismantle apartheid" in the illegally occupied Palestinian territories.
For more than a week now, Israeli settlers have been attacking West Bank Palestinians in towns and villages including Al-Mughayir, Duma, Deir Dibwan, Beitin, and Aqraba, killing at least four people including a child; wounding dozens of others; and destroying homes, vehicles, and other property.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops have either stood and watched or participated in the settler attacks, which the Israeli human rights group B'Tselem and others are calling a "pogrom."
Amnesty said the "alarming spike in violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians across the occupied West Bank in recent days highlights the urgent need to dismantle illegal settlements, end Israel's occupation of the occupied Palestinian territories, and its longstanding system of apartheid.
"The appalling spike in settler violence against Palestinians in recent days is part of a decadeslong state-backed campaign to dispossess, displace, and oppress Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, under Israel's system of apartheid," Amnesty Middle East and North Africa regional director Heba Morayef said. "Israeli forces have a track record of enabling settler violence and it is outrageous that once again Israeli forces stood by and in some cases took part in these brutal attacks."
"Establishing Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories flagrantly violates international law and constitutes a war crime," Morayef added. "Violence is integral to the establishment and expansion of these settlements and to sustaining apartheid. It's time for the world to recognize this and pressure Israeli authorities to abide by international law by immediately halting settlement expansion and removing all existing settlements."
The latest wave of settler violence was sparked by the disappearance of Binyamin Achimair, a 14-year-old Israeli from the illegal settler outpost of Mal'achei Hashalom who went missing on April 12 while herding sheep near the village of Al-Mughayir east of Ramallah. As Israelis searched for Achimair, settlers began attacking Al-Mughayir's residents and property.
Achimair's body was found the following day. Israeli officials said he was killed in a "terrorist attack." However, no Palestinian resistance group has claimed responsibility for the incident. A 21-year-old Palestinian man was arrested Monday in alleged connection with the boy's death.
Late Friday, IDF troops and armored vehicles surrounded the Nur Shams refugee camp east of Tulkarem and besieged the community of more than 6,000 Palestinians during a 50-hour raid in which residents were shot, homes were destroyed, and scores of people were arrested.
By Saturday, IDF soldiers had killed 14 people in the camp, including at least one child. More than 40 other Palestinians were wounded.
"I saw one of my relatives, Jihad Zandiq, put his hands in the air to the soldiers but then they shot him anyway from point-blank range and killed him. Half of his skull exploded," eyewitness Mahmoud Qazmouz toldMiddle East Eye on Sunday.
Palestinian officials said Israeli troops attacked first responders attempting to rescue victims, including a volunteer paramedic who was shot in the leg.
Meanwhile, a funeral was held Sunday for Mohammed Awad Allah Musa, a 50-year-old Palestinian Red Crescent Society volunteer paramedic who was shot dead Saturday by Israeli settler-colonists while trying to reach Palestinians wounded by rampaging settlers in the town of Sa'wiyah south of Nablus.
The Nur Shams raid and ongoing settler attacks came as the U.S. State Department on Friday announced new sanctions targeting far-right Israeli settler leaders including Ben Zion Gopstein, the founder and head of the Jewish supremacist group Lehava.
The Biden administration—which backs Israel with billions of dollars in military aid and diplomatic support—is also reportedly considering imposing sanctions on the IDF's Netzah Yehuda battalion over war crimes committed in the West Bank before the current Israeli war on Gaza, including the January 2022 death of Omar Assad, a 78-year-old Palestinian American man.
Responding to the prospect of the first-ever U.S. sanctions on his country's military, far-right Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that "I will fight it with all my strength."
According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, at least 485 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli soldiers and settlers in the West Bank since October 7, when Gaza-based militants attacked Israel. More than 1,100 people were killed in the attack—some by responding Israeli forces—and over 240 Israelis and others were kidnapped by Hamas and other militants.
Israel's 199-day retaliatory assault on Gaza—which critics including Israelis have called genocidal—has killed at least 34,151 Palestinians, mostly women and children, while wounding over 77,000 others, according to Palestinian and international officials. At least 11,000 Gazans are missing, presumed dead and buried beneath the rubble of the hundreds of thousands of homes and other buildings that have been destroyed or damaged by Israeli bombardment. Around 90% of Gaza's 2.3 million people have been forcibly displaced, and Israel's continued obstruction of humanitarian aid delivery has fueled a burgeoning famine in which dozens of people, mostly children, have perished.
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