Activism In Philladelphia and how you can Help! in Protesting the atrocities in Gaza

Although....

• I said I'm on hiatus from this blog while focusing my energies on battling transverse myelitis (which you can read about at http://neurodetour.com)
• And many of my Jewish relatives will hold me in contempt for this
  
• And some of them also live in Israel and have their own experiences to share
  

But...

• I'm sleepless,
  
• and as a dedicated member of WILPF servingon both theMiddle East Committee and the National Development Committee, I'm doing what I can to spread the word...
• copy...paste...publish.

Before you begin reading, I grabbed this interesting fact from the ADC Website:

• Famous Arab Americans include: Ralph Nader, Salma Hayek, Casey Kasem, Doug Flutie, Shakira, Paula Abdul, Spencer Abraham and many more (click here to see an illustrated brochure) The Arab American market is considerable. Arab American consumers have a buying power of $104 billion.

It's always fun to start with fame, fortune, and fantastic cleavage. But on to the less fortunate we go.

************

The following newsletter was sent to me from my dear friend and Philadelphia WILPF president (Libby forgive me if I've gotten your title wrong). Please note, copy and paste leads to whacky formatting. But activism isn't about formatting, it's about doing.

Dear Members and Supporters,

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee--ADC Greater Philadelphia reiterates its horror at Israel ’s ongoing military attacks on, blockade of, and massacres in Gaza. As the world calls for an immediate ceasefire and protection for civilians as enumerated by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1860, Israel's overwhelming attacks on Gaza resulted in over 919 Dead and 4150 Injured-- 46% Women and Children.

We need to let our voices be heard.
We need an end to the Israeli massacres in Gaza.

As vital as it is to keep up the public protest, and as important as it is that we make sure our elected officials in Washington hear from us, this is also a crucial moment to bring our message to the mainstream media.

There are many ways you can help:

1. Attend the events planned in the Philadelphia Area this week (Below).
2. Make your voice heard in the media! (Write to local papers, Talking points)
   
3. Contact your Representatives and President-Elect Obama
4. Help the Victims in Gaza by Donating to United Palestinian Appeal, Inc. (UPA)
5. Help the Victims in Gaza by Donating to ANERA
6. Thank The 5 representatives that voted "against" and 22 representatives that voted "present" on a resolution that framed Israel's disproportionate attack on Gaza as "self-defense". IF you know ANY constituents of any of these representatives, then please urge them to let their voices be heard.
7. You can view the actual resolution here.

THIS WEEK’S, PHILADELPHIA ACTION FOR GAZA EVENTS
Don't hesitate to get in touch with questions.

• Monday 1.12.09- ADC National Wear-Your-Kaffiyah day

• Tuesday-1.13.09- ADC day of fasting

• Tuesday 1.13.09- panel discussion sponsored by IAC [contact Betsy, bpiette@hotmail.com]

• Wed 1.14.09- 4:30-6 pm Rally Israeli Consulate, 19th and JFK. [contact SUSTAIN at sustainphilly@gmail.com]

• Fri 1.16.09 @4:30pm- Mourning Vigil for Israel's Massacre of Civilians in Gaza and demanding immediate cease fire--Gathering at Israeli Consulate (1880 JFK Blvd) and March to City Hall planned by Arab community [contact Linda Hannah, aridfishing@verizon.net or Nehad Khader, nehadk262@gmail.com]

• Saturday 1.17.08-Obama Protest, 30th Street Station [contact Koyuki, livinginphilly@gmail.com]

• Monday 1.19.08-Tables at Gallery, Rittenhouse, 69th Street, ect. [contact Betsy, bpiette@hotmail.com]

• MLK Day Candlelight Vigil focused on impact on Women and children, 5:30, Israeli Consulate: [contact SUSTAIN at sustainphilly@gmail.com]

RECENT EVENTS OF NOTE

Last week, ADC held a town hall meeting where various ideas and strategies were discussed and considered. In response to direct community input, ADC NATIONAL Office extended its hours of operation (Monday-Friday from 8am-8pm) and community members are encouraged to volunteer.

- To volunteer, contact: organizing@adc.org

- For all media inquiries, contact: laila@adc.org

- For legal matters, contact: legal@adc.org

Last Thursday, ADC held a workshop on “Nonviolence Demonstrations and Actions”, which was conducted by Nonviolence International. Participants learned:

• basic communication techniques
• history of nonviolent action
• principles of nonviolent action
• campaigns for social change
• direct action techniques, and
  
• coalition building

On Friday, January 9, the House of Representatives passed a resolution that framed Israel's disproportionate attack on Gaza as "self-defense" and failed to hold Israel either responsible or accountable for its role in causing Palestinian civilian casualties and injuries, and extensive damage to Palestinian civilian infrastructure.

While the resolution contained substantial language that was "one-sided", it also contained language in support of "a just and sustainable resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict", making it appear "balanced" enough to many members of Congress to obtain their support. You can view the actual resolution for yourself here.

While 390 representatives voted for the resolution, 5 representatives voted against the resolution and 22 representatives voted present on the resolution. The names, phone numbers and fax numbers of those representatives are below.

If you are or KNOW a constituent of one of these representatives, then we ask you to take 5 minutes to follow up and thank them for their votes. We want to demonstrate to these representatives and to their colleagues that, if they stand for an equitable U.S. policy, then we will stand with them.

VOTED "NO"

• Rep. Maxine Waters (D), California, District 35 -- Phone: (202) 225-2201 / Fax: (202) 225-7854
• Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D), Ohio, District 10 -- Phone: (202) 225-5871 / Fax: (202) 225-5745
• Rep. Ronald Paul (R), Texas, District 14 -- Phone: (202) 225-2831 / Fax: (202) 226-6288
• Rep. Nick Rahall (D), West Virginia, District 3 -- Phone: (202) 225-3452 / Fax: (202) 225-9061
• Rep. Gwen Moore (D), Wisconsin, District 4 -- Phone: (202) 225-4572 / Fax: (202) 225-8135

VOTED "PRESENT"

• Rep. Raul Grijalva (D), Arizona, District 7 -- Phone: (202) 225-2435 / Fax: (202) 225-1541
• Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D), California, District 6 -- Phone: (202) 225-5161 / Fax: (202) 225-5163
• Rep. George Miller (D), California, District 7 -- Phone: (202) 225-2095 / Fax: (202) 225-5609
• Rep. Barbara Lee (D), California, District 9 -- Phone: (202) 225-2661 / Fax: (202) 225-9817
• Rep. Fortney Stark (D), California, District 13 -- Phone: (202) 225-5065 / Fax: (202) 226-3805
• Rep. Sam Farr (D), California, District 17 -- Phone: (202) 225-2861 / Fax: (202) 225-6791
• Rep. Diane Watson (D), California, District 33 -- Phone: (202) 225-7084 / Fax: (202) 225-2422
• Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D), California, District 47 -- Phone: (202) 225-2965 / Fax: (202) 225-5859
• Rep. Henry Johnson (D), Georgia, District 4 -- Phone: (202) 225-1605 / Fax: (202) 226-0691
• Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D), Hawaii, District 1 -- Phone: (202) 225-2726 / Fax: (202) 225-4580
• Rep. Donna Edwards (D), Maryland, District 4 -- Phone: (202) 225-8699 / Fax: (202) 225-8714
• Rep. John Olver (D), Massachusetts, District 1 -- Phone: (202) 225-5335 / Fax: (202) 226-1224
• Rep. Carolyn Kilpatrick (D), Michigan, District 13 -- Phone: (202) 225-2261 / Fax: (202) 225-5730
• Rep. John Dingell (D), Michigan, District 15 -- Phone: (202) 225-4071 / Fax: (202) 226-0371
• Rep. Betty McCollum (D), Minnesota, District 4 -- Phone: (202) 225-6631 / Fax: (202) 225-1968
• Rep. Keith Ellison (D), Minnesota, District 5 -- Phone: (202) 225-4755 / Fax: (202) 225-4886
• Rep. Donald Payne (D), New Jersey, District 10 -- Phone: (202) 225-3436 / Fax: (202) 225-4160
• Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D), New York, District 22 -- Phone: (202) 225-6335 / Fax: (202) 226-0774
• Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D), Oregon, District 3 -- Phone: (202) 225-4811 / Fax: (202) 225-8941
• Rep. Peter DeFazio (D), Oregon, District 4 -- Phone: (202) 225-6416 / Fax: (202) 225-0032
• Rep. James Moran (D), Virginia, District 8 -- Phone: (202) 225-4376 / Fax: (202) 225-0017
• Rep. James McDermott (D), Washington, District 7 -- Phone: (202) 225-3106 / Fax: (202) 225-6197

ABOUT THE ADC
The American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), a non-sectarian & non-partisan Civil rights organization, is the largest grassroots Arab-American movement in the United States committed to protecting the rights of Arab Americans by being at the forefront in combating defamation and negative stereotyping. ADC welcomes people of all backgrounds, faiths and ethnicities as members.

For more information on the ADC's Philadelphia Chapter, visit www.adcphiladelphia.org.
For the main ADC Website, visit www.adc.org