Bolton: Gaza Crisis Means We Should Attack Iran Now
(Think Progress)
—
This guy is a blood-crazed maniac who wants war at any cost and at all times.
WTF is wrong with this asshole? We can’t deal with the wars that we are already engaged in, much less adding another fruitless and unnecessary one.

‘Key Ally In The War On Terror’ Breaks With U.S., Condemns Israel For Gaza Strikes

After disastrously invading and occupying Iraq, one of the justifications President Bush frequently offered for sustaining the enormous U.S. costs in lives and resources was that we were developing a “key ally” in the Middle East:

Together we’ll help Iraq become a strong democracy that protects the rights of its people and is a key ally in the war on terror. [9/22/05]

Our mission in Iraq is clear. … We’re helping Iraqis build a free nation that is an ally in the war on terror. We’re advancing freedom in the broader Middle East. [6/28/05]

Freedom will prevail in Iraq; freedom will prevail in the Middle East; and as the hope of freedom spreads to nations that have not known it, these countries will become allies in the cause of peace. [3/20/06]

The Wonk Room’s Matt Duss notes that — in a central test of the U.S. alliance with Iraq — our “key ally” is instead more eager to disassociate itself completely from the United States:

Just as they did during Israel’s 2006 war against Hezbollah, Iraq’s leaders are now showing where their true sympathies lie. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s Da’wa Party “issued a statement condemning the attacks and calling on Islamic countries to cut relations with Israel and end all ’secret and public talks’ with it.”

Khalid Hussain of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI) told Gulf News “We have obligations towards Palestine and all Iraqi people are in solidarity with the people in Palestine, and we will support the people in Gaza.” […]

“Iraqi resistance groups have to retaliate against the Israeli aggression on Gaza by escalating their operations against the US military in Iraq since the US position is in favour of this aggression, firstly, and secondly because the United States and Israel are both enemies of the Arabs,” Omar Al Kubaisi, an activist of the Sunni Muslim Clerics Association.

Shia cleric Grand Ayatollah Sistani has also condemned the Gaza strikes. Duss concludes, “Looking on the bright side, if one can call it that, as with opposition to the U.S. occupation, Gaza is an issue on which Iraqis have achieved rare political consensus.”

(Think Progress)

Ugandan rebels kill 400 in DR Congo: charity

KINSHASA (AFP) – Ugandan Lord’s Resistance Army rebels killed more than 400 people in Christmas massacres in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the Caritas aid charity said Tuesday.

—

Obama: Blagojevich appointee shouldn’t be seated

WASHINGTON – President-elect Barack Obama waded into a racially tinged dispute Tuesday over who would replace him as the only black senator, siding forcefully with Senate Democrats in rejecting the respected African-American chosen by scandal-tainted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

While praising Blagojevich’s pick, former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris, Obama and Senate Democratic leaders said federal corruption charges against the governor place the nominee under an ethical cloud.

“Senate Democrats made it clear weeks ago that they cannot accept an appointment made by a governor who is accused of selling this very Senate seat,” Obama said in a statement.

The president-elect spoke out after Blagojevich defied national Democrats and appointed Burris to fill the vacancy left by Obama’s resignation.

Senate Democrats released a letter reiterating their view that, despite their respect for Burris, they would vote not to allow him to be seated as a senator.

—

Warren’s inauguration prayer could draw more ire

President-elect Barack Obama’s choice of Rick Warren to deliver the inaugural invocation drew one kind of protest. Whether the evangelical pastor offers the prayer in the name of Jesus may draw another. At George W. Bush’s 2001 swearing-in, the Revs. Franklin Graham and Kirbyjon Caldwell were criticized for invoking Christ. The distinctly Christian reference at a national civic event offended some, and even prompted a lawsuit.

Warren did not answer directly when asked whether he would dedicate his prayer to Jesus. In a statement Tuesday to The Associated Press, Warren would say only that, “I’m a Christian pastor so I will pray the only kind of prayer I know how to pray.”

—

Anyone remember separation of church and state? Not having a religious segment to the inauguration would solve the whole thing, wouldn’t it?

Why is the obvious solution usually ignored?

Something tells me that this little Obama-esque Rick Warren poster is the start of something, or that we are going to be seeing a lot of these pretty little posters demanding change over the next four years. We need a poster like this for Jon Favreau!

Add your voice to the voices at Equality California and ask or demand that Obama rescind his invitation to Rick Warren.

And check out this letter from DumPrickWarren:

Dear President-elect Obama:

The gay and lesbian community, our millions of friends and all other fair minded Americans are extremely hurt and angry with your choice of Reverend Rick Warren to give the invocation at your Inauguration next month. . So today we are asking you to dump Rick Warren from delivering the invocation at your swearing in ceremony.

We will be launching a new web site www.dumprickwarren.com to ask others to join in our effort to help persuade you to choose another man or woman to take this place of honor at your historic Inauguration.

Continue reading at DumPrickWarren

via CA NOW

Inaugeration Obama Rick Warren Politics Gender Gay Prop 8 Lesbian News Gay Marriage

Here is the third drawing of ‘Leadbelly’.
Pencil on paper, 42 x 52,5 cm (16 x 20 inches).

US protests of Israeli Massacre in Gaza
Radhika Sainath, NLG Free Gaza Committee, radhika.sainath@gmail.com, 917-669-6903

The National Lawyers Guild Condemns Israeli Massacre of over 300 Gazans, Calls for Ceasefire and Urges Participation in Protests

New York. 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 Congress person 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 Dignity Leaves for Gaza: Its Dangerous Humanitarian Mission Challenges the World to “Stop this Madness!”

MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2008

(Larnaca, Cyprus) - There is a time when silence is complicity and inaction is unacceptable.

On Saturday, December 27, Israel began Operation “Cast Lead,” a military onslaught against the civilian
population of the Gaza Strip that has - so far - massacred more than three-hundred men, women, and children, and seriously injured over a thousand.

In response to Israeli butchery, the Free Gaza ship, the DIGNITY, will depart Larnaca Port at approximately 5:00 pm (UTC), on Monday, December 29, 2008 bound for besieged Gaza.

The ship is on an emergency mission carrying in
physicians, human rights workers and over three tons of desperately needed medical supplies donated by the people of Cyprus.

Coordinating with the Gaza Ministry of Health, the doctors will be immediately posted to overburdened hospitals and clinics upon their arrival.

We are not asking Israel for “permission” to go, and we will not stop until the DIGNITY lands in Gaza. We are answering urgent calls from hospitals and health care workers in Gaza by taking in three physicians who will stay and work in Gaza for several weeks.

We will hold Israel responsible for the safety of our passengers and our cargo of emergency medicine.

Even before the present Israeli blitzkrieg, Karen Koning Abu Zayd, head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), asserted that,

“Gaza is on the threshold of becoming the first territory to be intentionally reduced to a state of abject destitution, with the knowledge, acquiescence and - some would say encouragement - of the international community.”

Ewa Jasiewicz, a Free Gaza organizer living in Gaza, agreed with Abu Zayd, saying:

“Where is the United Nations? Where is the Arab League? Where is the outrage against Israeli cruelty and Egyptian complicity?

Every hospital in Gaza is already overwhelmed. Israel is committing war crimes here in Gaza, and words of condemnation are no longer enough. The world must act now to stop this madness.”

The Free Gaza Movement continues to do what the governments of the world will not do - take direct action to defend the health, lives, and dignity of 1.5 million Palestinians under siege in the Gaza Strip.

This catastrophe is still unfolding, and humanitarian needs in Gaza are quite literally devastating. The world can no longer stay silent as the Palestinian people are deliberately massacred, starved and humiliated.

We have to create a new consciousness that turns the practice of human rights from rhetoric into reality. Palestinians have an inalienable right to live, and the undeniable right to a life with dignity.

The passengers on this Free Gaza emergency delegation include:
* International humanitarian and human rights workers from Cyprus, Australia, Ireland, Great Britain, Tunisia, and the United States;
* Doctors going to Gaza to volunteer in local hospitals, including Dr. Elena Theoharous, surgeon and Member of Parliament from Cyprus;

* Journalists going to Gaza to report on the massacre, including Al-Jazeera reporter Sami al-Haj, a former detainee at Guantanamo Bay;
* The Hon. Cynthia McKinney, former U.S. Congresswoman 9/11 Truth activist and Green Party presidential candidate.

The Free Gaza Movement, a human rights group, sent two boats to Gaza in August 2008. These were the first international boats to land in the port in forty years. Since August, four more voyages were successful, taking parliamentarians, human rights workers, physicians, and other dignitaries to witness the effects of Israel’s draconian policies on the civilians of Gaza.

http://www.FreeGaza.org