arch/ive/ief (2000 - 2005)

Worldwide Vigils Against the Occupation
by www.coalitionofwomen4peace.org Thursday June 06, 2002 at 09:42 PM
www.coalitionofwomen4peace.org

Coalition of Women for Peace mass rally in Jerusalem on Saturday, 8 June 2002 marks 35 years of occupation . In different places of the world there will be Solidarity Vigils.

Worldwide Vigils Aga...
yoursolidarity.gif, image/gif, 160x120

COALITION OF WOMEN FOR PEACE

June 8 - International Vigil Locations

Updates (in this order): Tamera, Dorset, Uppsala, Bay Area, Amherst, Brisbane, Belgrade, Philadelphia, Padova, Paris, Berkeley, Bainbridge Island, Copenhagen, Traverse City, Victoria, Central Vermot, Ottawa, Lancaster, Toronto, Seattle, Sydney, Vienna, Geneva, San Francisco, Boston, Eugene, New York, Santa Fe, Washington.

35 Years of Occupation – Enough!

ISRAEL

Meet at Hagar (Paris) Square
Saturday, 8 June 2002 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Cars and buses carrying banners against the occupation will depart at 2 p.m. to distribute flyers throughout Israel.
Starting points:
· Nazareth (opposite Beit HaYedidut on Paul VI St.);
· Acre (the Acre-Haifa sherut station opposite Egged);
· Haifa (Kikar Sollel Boneh, beside Migdal HaNevi'im);
· Tel-Aviv (El-Al Terminal at the North Train Station).

Please join us on this anti-occupation caravan, handing out flyers at every stop. More stops along the route will be advertised in the local newspapers.
For more information, call (03) 516-6734 or (04) 640-7011

Tamera Portugal

Subject: Tamera/Portugal
From: Monika Berghoff [mailto:MonikaBerghoff@gmx.net]
Subject: Re: To all our international friends
Dear Gila, we - the community of Tamera in Portugal - will join your call on Saturday June 8th. We will stay here at our ground and will have a ritual together with our guests probably in our olive tree garden. We will inform about the situation in Israel and Palestine, and also about our Peace Camp "Israel/Palestine" which takes place in August 2002. We will do a short meditation, where everybody interrupts its work and concentrates silently on the vision of peace in the Middle East. We will work out further details and announce them as soon as possible. For today we want to say that our hearts are with you and all those, who work intensively for peace in Israel and Palestine. Venceremos! Monika Berghoff and the community of Tamera/Portugal (Tamera is in South-West Portugal, region of Alentejo, dry, stony, smooth hills, lots of olive trees and oak trees - the landscape is very similar to the one in Palestine).

Amherst, Massachusetts

From: Mary L. Wentworth Subject: Anniversary vigil
We are the Women in Black group in Amherst, Massachusetts, and we will be notifying people of the 35 years that Israel has occupied Palestine at our regular Friday vigil from noon to 1 pm. We are with you!!! Mary Wentworth

Bay Area Women in Black

From_: sandbutler@earthlink.net
Subject: PLEASE JOIN US! BAY AREA WOMEN IN BLACK JUNE 8
To all Bay Area Women in Black:
This is remind each of you to join us on June 8 for a vigil marking the 35th anniversary of Israel's occupation of Palestine. We will be one of many such vigils around the world, answering the call of Women in Black in Israel to protest this increasingly cruel occupation. We will vigil under the banner, "For the sake of Israel, the occupation must end." We will call for international intervention to stop the bloodshed and get peace negotiations started.
Our silent walk will precede Tears of Rock, A Dance for Palestinian-Israeli Peace, created by choreographer Anne Bluethenthal. We are pleased to be a part of this strong collaboration which examines the human cost of the struggles in the Middle-East.for solidarity We look forward to seeing you there!
Information for vigil:
We will assemble in front of the Dance Mission Theatre 3316 24th St ( at Mission) at 7:00 pm.
There will be a silent walking vigil from 7:15 to 7:45.
At 7:45 we will stand silently in front of the theatre as the audience enters the building.
At 8:00 pm, all Women in Black participants will go up the stairs and enter the theatre. If you are a ticket holder your seat will be held for you.
There will be a brief vigil on stage before the performance begins.
Information for dance performance:
Dance Mission Theatre 3316 24th St ( at Mission) San Francisco (near 24th St. BART station) 415-273-4633 for reservations. Tickets are $16 in advance and $18 at the door. Also available at Modern Times Books

Uppsala Sweden

From: ElsaMaria Bergstrom <elsamaria.bergstrom@telia.com
Subject: june the 6th 2002

Dear Friends, On the 6th of June Women in Black in Uppsala Sweden are going to arrange a short vigil marking 35 years of Israel's occupation of the territories .. That will be the last event before Summer Break. Every week since X-mas we have been standing in a corner of Stora Torget ( Big Marker) in Uppsala. We have a white flag with a hand showing STOP and the text saying "End the Israeli Occupation". Our pamflets use your slogans and often add news.
Mostly we are very few but tomorrow some more will come, I hope. Best regards and love from all of us. We wish you strength and good hope in the hard struggle. There will be a Future in Peace! ElsaMaria Bergstrom Tiundagatan 48 B, S-752 30 UPPSALA, Sweden

Dorset UK

Subject: Dorset UK
I will be having a very small event on the 8th . I will be praying followed by music in a country garden . If anyone locally wishes to join me please write to my email address. Thank you Debbie Button Dorset, UK debbie@serendipity5.fsnet.co.uk

Tucson, Arizona

From: Felice & Jack Cohen-Joppa <nukeresister@igc.org
Subject: 35 years of occupation
Hi, We had a Women in Black vigil last June here in Tucson, Arizona, US in response to your call, and then in August began a weekly WIB vigil that still continues each Friday. So if you'd like to publicize that we're having a vigil on June 7, that would be fine. Someone has volunteered to take photos and send them, and we'll get a brief report written, also. Your event on Saturday sounds great! Best wishes, Felice

Brisbane

From: margot salom [mailto:margshalom@powerup.com.au]
Sent: Wednesday, June 05, 2002 7:24 AM
To: Gila Svirsky
Subject: Re: To all our international friends
Dear Gila,
Just to inform you that we are planning to have a Vigil on Sunday June 16th at King George Square in Brisbane, Australia from 3-00pm. The contact address for Palestinian and Jewish Unity (Australia) is
pajunity@yahoo.com.au

Best wishes for your Vigil on the earlier date. Unfortunately we had a problem getting a permit for that weekend and we really wanted to do it in King George Square which is in front of our City Hall. We also plan to use it as a launch of our Palestinian and Jewish Unity (PAJU) group
Margot Salom, Brisbane Australia

Belgrade

From: Women in Black <stasazen@EUnet.yu
To: bat shalom <batshalo@netvision.net.il
Dear sisters,
This is to inform you that Women in Black from Belgrade will make public protest dedicated to 35 years of Israeli occupation of Palestine on Saturday, June 8th, at Belgrade's main square. Together with us will be a group of conscientious objectors who will manifest their solidarity with Israeli deserters.
Yours in solidarity, WiB - Belgrade

Dear friends,
Women in Black from Belgrade together with conscientious objectors will have protest dedicated to 35 years of occupation of Palestine at Belgrade's main square on Saturday, June 8th, 12:00hrs.
A report will be sent together with pictures, just like you've asked.
With solidarity,
WiB - Belgrade

Philadelphia

Subject: Philadelphia vigil marking 35 year of Occupation
This week marks 35 years of Israeli occupation. For 35 years, the Israeli government has occupied Palestinian homes, communities, and political and economic structures. American policy and tax dollars support this occupation.
THIS FRIDAY AT NOON at the Israeli consulate (15th and Locust), please join the Jewish Mobilization for a Just Peace and Bubbes and Zeydes Against the Occupation as we make our voices heard in resistance to ongoing Israeli policies of oppression and terror.
In Israel, Women in Black is organizing a large protest in addition to their wvigil; we want to get as many people out as possible in solidarity with their peace efforts.
FRIDAY, JUNE 7, at NOON 15th and LOCUST
To cosponsor or with questions, please e-mail Shira Etshalom at
shib51@yahoo.com.

Padova

From: Marta M.

Dear sisters,
We, Women in Black of Padova - Italia, will be holding a sit-in in one of Padova main square, on Wednesday 6 june at 6 p.m., to mark 35 years of Israeli's occupation of the Territories with a call to end the occupation.
We have recently organised several events (such as sit-in, debates also with Palestinians and Israeli women, seminars and conferences, marches etc.) aimed at asking international intervention for Palestine and stopping any form of violence, terror and human rights violation in your country.
Love and peace
Women in Black, Padova - Italia

Paris

Berkeley

This Thursday evening in Berkeley there will be the kick-off march, rally and mass pledge taking for the NOT IN OUR NAME project == NOT IN OUR NAME is a nationwide movement aimed at joining people of conscience who oppose the militant policies of our government, both internationallly and here at home. The core of the movement is a Pledge of Resistance (which follows) and hopefully will be taken up by thousands around the country, culminating in a mass rally in the fall -- hundreds of organizations around the country have endorsed NION including here in the bay area, Global Exchange, the Sonoma Peace and Justice Center, Marin P&J, Barbara Luben, Julia Butterfly, and hopefully WIB. Please read the pledge below and come to Berkeley on Thursday JUNE 6 at 6PM, MLK Park if you can -- if not, but you would be interested in getting the movement started here in Sonoma County, please let me know - thanks! in peace and good will --Ani NOT IN OUR NAME: Pledge of Resistance We believe that as people living in the US it is our responsibility to resist the injustices done by our government in our names NOT IN OUR NAME will you wage endless war There can be no more deaths, no more transfusions of blood for oil NOT IN OUR NAME will you invade countries, bomb civilians, kill more children, letting history take its course over the graves of the nameless NOT IN OUR NAME will you erode the very freedoms you have claimed to fight for Not by our hands will we supply weapons and funding for the annihilation of families on foreign soil Not by our mouths will we let fear silence us Not by our hearts will we allow whole peoples or countries to be deemed evil Not by our will and NOT IN OUR NAME! We pledge resistance! We pledge alliance with those who have come under attack for voicing opposition to the war or for their religion or ethnicity We plege to make common cause with the people of the world to bring about justice, freedom and peace. ANOTHER WORLD IS POSSIBLE, AND WE PLEDGE TO MAKE IT REAL!

Bainbridge Island, WA

Women in Black Vigil June 7, 2002, and every Friday 5:15 PM to 6:30 PM corner of Highway 305 and Winslow Way, Bainbridge Island, WA

Copenhagen

From: Jens Schelde
Subject: Vigil in Denmark
Dear friends,
We have a vigil here in Denmark - in Copenhagen at Raadhuspladsen Saturday the 8th of June at 10.15 am.
Of course we will report afterwards.
Right now I just want to tell that we also had a vigil when Israel and Denmark played a socalled "friendship football match". We were not many but the media were very interested. Maybe because a women's peace organization is not supposed to mean something when it comes to the connection between sports and politics!
For this coming vigil I - that is Annelise Ebbe - am the contactperson (as usual), and I hope you get the e-mail address right which it has never been. The problem is the underscore - the underlined "hole" between "a" and "ebbe" (like this a_ebbe).
All the best to all of you
Annelise

Annelise Ebbe
Emdrup Kaervej 4
DK-2400 Copenhagen NV
Tel. and fax: +45 39 69 67 75
E-mail:
a_ebbe@centrum.dk

Traverse City, Michigan

From: Tom Shea
Friends: On Friday, June 7, the Traverse City, Michigan, Women in Black, will join protesters carrying large signs: "Security for Israel, Palestine, and U.S.A. Means End the Occupation." The local WIB has been walking through downtown in a silent vigil since mid-October 2001. tom shea

Victoria, BC, Canada

From: Dorothy Field
Hello and thanks for all your work.
Here in Victoria, BC, Canada, we began having Women in Black vigils one year ago. We stand every month on the first Friday between 4:30 and 5:30 at the intersection of Hillside and Douglas. All are welcome, men and women, people from all religious backgrounds and nations, as long as they come in peace.

_____
From: Tirdad Shirvani
Women In Black Victoria, BC, Canada
Regular vigils on the first Friday of every month
http://victoria.tc.ca/~wr855/WIB/events.htm

Women in Black of Central Vermot

From: Lucy
The Women in Black of Central Vermot have a vigil scheduled for Friday June 7th. We shall try to adapt some of the suggeslogans. Thank you for all you are doing. Lucy Nichol, for Women's Int'l League for Peace & Freedom

Ottawa

Join WAO in Toronto and Ottawa in a Vigil on Thursday, June 6th!
WAO invite you to a vigil to commemorate 35 years of Israeli occupation of Palestinian land.
In Toronto
Keynote Speaker : Norman Finkelstein
Date: Thursday, June 6th
Time: 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
Location: Opposite the Israeli consulate (180 Bloor Street West), Toronto
Co-sponsored by Jewish Women's Committee to End the Occupation (JWCEO) , Canadian Arab Federation- Toronto Chapter , Science for Peace, The Near East Cultural and Educational Foundation (NECEF), Coalition against War and Racism( CAWR), Canadian Arab Youth Association, Friends of Sabeel, Palestine House, Al-Awda-Canada, Creative Response.
For more information contact wao.to@sympatico.ca
In Ottawa
Date: Thursday, June 6, 2002
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Location: The American Embassy, McKenzie Avenue, Ottawa
For more information contact wao@igs.net
DEMAND the Canadian Government do its part to:
Put an immediate End to 35 years of illegal Israeli military occupation of the WeBank, Gaza and East Jerusalem.
End the Israeli apartheid policies in Palestine.
Dismantle all illegal Jewish Settlements in the Occupied Territories.
End the suffering of the Palestinian people.
CALL for:
The right of Palestinian self-determination.
An independent, viable, secular and democratic Palestinian state.

Lancaster, PA

From: Kathryn Elayne McClanen [mailto:kemcc@peoplepc.com]
On June 8th, WIB Lancaster, PA will vigil at the U.S.Army War College Graduation Ceremony of 43 International Students, strategic leaders, in Carlisle, PA
Thank you,
Elayne McClanen

Toronto

there are 2 vigils happenning in toronto, 1 on thursday and one on Friday. i'll ty to send some pictures.

Hi. The Jewish Women's Committee to End the Occupation will be holding a special vigil to mark the 35 years of occupation on Friday June 7 5-6 PM in Toronto. Thanks. Marylin Kanee

________________
Join WAO in Toronto and Ottawa in a Vigil on Thursday, June 6th!
WAO invite you to a vigil to commemorate 35 years of Israeli occupation of Palestinian land.
In Toronto
Keynote Speaker : Norman Finkelstein
Date: Thursday, June 6th
Time: 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
Location: Opposite the Israeli consulate (180 Bloor Street West), Toronto
Co-sponsored by Jewish Women's Committee to End the Occupation (JWCEO) , Canadian Arab Federation- Toronto Chapter , Science for Peace, The Near East Cultural and Educational Foundation (NECEF), Coalition against War and Racism( CAWR), Canadian Arab Youth Association, Friends of Sabeel, Palestine House, Al-Awda-Canada, Creative Response.
For more information contact wao.to@sympatico.ca
In Ottawa
Date: Thursday, June 6, 2002
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Location: The American Embassy, McKenzie Avenue, Ottawa
For more information contact wao@igs.net
DEMAND the Canadian Government its part to:
Put an immediatEnd to 35 years of illegal Israeli military occupation of the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem.
End the Israeli apartheid policies in Palestine.
Dismantle all illegal Jewish Settlements in the Occupied Territories.
End the suffering of the Palestinian people.
CALL for:
The right of Palestinian self-determination.
An independent, viable, secular and democratic Palestinian state.

Seattle

From: Fern Feldman
Subject: Seattle end the occupation event
For your information, Pursue the Peace, a group of Seattle area Jews working for a just peace in Israel/Palestine, is sponsoring a vigil on June 10. Our flyer is attached. B'shalom,
Fern Feldman

Sydney, Australia

From: Jane Castle
Dear Coalitioners,
Women in Black, Sydney, Australia, will be holding a vigil which is partly in solidarity with your vigil.
We are also marking our own Sorry Day which reminds Australian's of the continuing occupation of Aboriginal land by colonisers without treaty or compensation. Our vigil will be held on June 6th which also marks the end of the 6 day war.
In solidarity and the warmest wishes,
Jane Castle.

Vienna, Austria

The information for Vienna for the 8th is as follows:
Time: 13 to 14 hours (1.00 - 2.00 P.M.) and Place: Stock im Eisen Platz/Stephansplatz
Best wishes, Paula Abrams-Hourani

Vienna, Austria: "International Day of Action of the Coalition of Women for a Just Peace". Place: Stock im Eisen Platz from 1.00 to 2.00 P.M. Saturday June 8, 2002.
Plus their regular Friday vigil on June 7, 2002 (moved from 1 to 2 pm for this Friday)

Geneva (Switzerland)

From: webmaster

Subject: To all our international friends:
Dear Friends,
A (hopefully) big demonstration will take place on June 8 in Geneva (Switzerland). Attached to this message you will find some info about it, though it's in French.
Let us know if you need the translation
All the best

San Francisco

San Francisco, June 8, 7:00-8:00 pm,

silent vigil on 24th and Mission Sts

Contact bayareawomeninblack@earthlink.com

From: jim haber Subject: [spokescouncil] Tue. 6/4
Peace Vigil & Rally for Child Victims of Occupation
Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 07:27:03 -0700 (PDT)
Friends,
The permit for sound in U.N. Plaza just came through, hence the late notice going out about this demonstration. An account I read of another recent coffin filled display outside the U.N. in N.Y.C. made it sound very moving. -Jim

International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression

Peace Vigil and Rally Tuesday, June 4
All-day Vigil: 9 am - 6 pm Rallies: noon and 5 pm
Location: U.N. Pla, San Francisco Market St. between 7th & 8th adjacent to Civic Center BART
- please wear black -
The United Nations marks June 4 as the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression.
June 5, 1967 was the beginning of the 1967 war, which ended with the occupation of the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem. We are approaching the 35th anniversary of an occupation that is immoral, illegal, and the main obstacle to peace.
A Jewish Voice for Peace will commemorate the occasion with a solemn display of coffins symbolizing children -- Israeli and Palestinian -- who have been killed during these 35 years. We will read the names of children who have been the victims of the occupation, and mourn for all the dead.
Since the beginning of the current Intifada, 217 Palestinians and 53 Israelis under age 18 have been killed*. Whether killed by soldiers, civilians, or suicide bombers, these children are all victims of this brutal occupation. As the Israeli pemovement puts it: "The occupation is killing us all."
But the deaths only tell part of the story. Palestinian children have never known any life but life under occupation. In the recent invasion, thousands have seen their homes, schools, and community centers destroyed by Israeli bulldozers, tanks, warplanes and helicopter gunships. Their families have seen their orchards uprooted, their water , their land colonized, their leaders assassinated, their movement impeded, and their economy ruined. As long as the occupation continues, Palestinian children have little to look forward to, and Israeli children will grow up in fear.
The United States government provides crucial support for this occupation, financing it to the tune of billions of dollars a year in military and other aid. Our taxes paid for the F16s and Apache helicopters that Sharon's army used in the recent invasion of the West Bank. Bush and Powell's recent "moderate" talk was lip service. If it chooses to, the U.S. government has the power to end the occupation and force a viable settlement by suspending military aid to Israel.
Stop Killing Children: End the Occupation Suspend U.S. Military Aid to Israel
A Jewish Voice for Peace www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org info@jewishvoiceforpeace.org

Boston Massachusetts

Boston's Women in Black holds vigils against the Occupation on the 4th Thursday of every month, in Coolidge Corner [Beacon/Harvard Street Corner, Brookline] Join Us! Next vigil: June 27th
Jewishwomenactivists@yahoo.com

Women and Men in Black
Harvard Square, Boston Massachusetts, USA
June 6, 5:30-6:30 pm
Contact: Ruby Poltorak,
ruby-p@juno.com

 

________

Subject: Boston WIB Vigil in Harvard Square
In solidarity with Israel's Coalition of Women for a Just Peace, we will be holding a special Women in Black vigil to mark the 35th year of the Israeli Occupation (co-sponsors: Jewish Women for Justice in Israel/ Palestinian; Boston Women in Black).
WOMEN AND MEN IN BLACK
Harvard Squar[in front Holyoke Ctr/Au Bon Pain]
June 6th 5:30-6:30 Please remember to wear black.
END THE OCCUPATION
Contact person: Donna Spiegelman at
stdls@channing.harvard.edu

Eugene, Oregon

I am writing from the Eugene Middle East Peace Group in Eugene, Oregon, USA. We are a diverse group of people, including Palestinians and Israelis, who meet monthly to forge bonds of friendship. On June 9th. We are having an event for the community to celebrate those who are working for peace and to inform the community about peace efforts.

New York, NY

New York, June 6, 5:30-6:30 pm., 14th St. and Broadway.

Contact for New York City vigil is hhwg2001@hotmail.com

Santa Fe Women and Men in Black

PEACE IS POSSIBLE

Join us
Santa Fe Women and Men in Black
Friday June 7, 2002 11:45-1:00

Walk from Sambusco Center to the Plaza in Santa Fe
By wearing black and carrying black Hands of Fatima, a symbol common to Israelis and Arabs, we are expressing our deep mourning for the deaths on both sides of the Middle East conflict.
June 8, peace activists will mark the 35th year of Israel's occupation
with an unprecedented series of public actions in Israel, Palestine, and
cities throughout the world, including Santa Fe and Albuquerque in New
Mexico. Most groups are continuing their expression of solidarity with the
people of Palestine and Israel calling for the End of Occupation NOW which will "help restore justice and bring peace to both peoples, a peace that is based on equality and respectful relations between two proud nations yearning for security and a life of dignity." (Words from the Israeli and Palestinian
Women of Bat Shalom, Jerusalem)
We stand for:

      1. An end to the Israeli Occupation of Palestine
      2. The full involvement of women in negotiations for peace.
      3. Establishment of the state of Palestinian side by side with the state of Israel based on the 1967 borders.
      4. The recognition of Jerusalem as the shared capital of two states.
      5. Israel's recognition of a shared responsibility for the results of the 1948 war and cooperation in finding a just solution for the Palestinian refugees.
      6. Equality, inclusion and justice for Palestinian citizens of Israel.
      7. Opposition to the militarism that permeates Israeli society.
      8. Equal rights for women and all residents of Israel.
      9. We believe that to enthe conflict we must resolve problems through wisdom, not force; come to a compromise based on an understanding of the plight of the two nations living in this region; and root solutions in the principles of justice, equality and peace.

        For more information: Dana Negev
        820-1048
        Dalya Yohai- 982-1090

Washington, DC

At the beginning of the 36th year of Israel's occupation of the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem, Join Women in Black DC to oppose the occupation.
June 7 Women iBlack, DC Vigil and Demonstration:
5:30 Vigil in Farragut Square (17th & K Sts., NW)
6:30 March to Dupont Circle (Connecticut and P Sts., NW)
6:45 Demonstration in Dupont Circle
Signs will be provided - Please wear black

Dear Coalition of Women for Peace,
Women in Black -- Washington, DC is organizing a vigil and demonstration on Friday, June 7th, to mark the anniversary of the occupation. We would appreciate it if you could list the event on our website.
We are also holding weekly vigils, but may change the location in the next few weeks. When we have a fixed location we'll send the information on to you. In the meantime, we'd be grateful if you could list our contact address: womeninblackdc-owner@yahoogroups.com.
Information on the June 7th event is below.
Thank you very much,
Galey Modan, for Women in Black -- DC

From: Sarah Anne Minkin [mailto:sarahanne3@earthlink.net]
Sent: Tuesday, June 04, 2002 7:36 PM To: bat shalom; Gila Svirsky; dalia sachs
Subject: Women in Black, DC
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Sarah Anne Minkin, 202-550-5881 womeninblackdc@yahoo.com
WOMEN IN BLACK, DC - FRIDAY, JUNE 7

VIGIL
WHEN: Friday, June 7, 5:30 – 6:30pm
WHERE: Farragut Square Park at 17th and K Sts.

MARCH
WHEN: Friday, June 7, 6:30pm-7:00pm
WHERE: Marching up Connecticut Avenue

PERFORMANCE
WHEN: Friday, June 7, 7pm
WHERE: Dupont Circle

WOMEN IN BLACK, DC
COMMEMORATING THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ISRAELI OCCUPATION OF THE WEST BANK, GAZA STRIP, AND EAST JERUSALEM
VIGIL AND PERFORMANCE
On June 7, 2002, the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Territories of the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem will enter into its 36th year. To commemorate the anniversary of the Israeli conquest of these territories, and to call for an end to the occupation, Women in Black, DC is holding a vigil and performance on Friday afternoon, June 7. We demonstrate in solidarity with the Israeli Peace Movement, which will hold a large demonstration in front of the Israeli Prime Minister's Residence in Jerusalem calling for an end to the occupation and the Israeli military's ongoing incursions into Palestinian cities, towns, villages and refugee camps.
From 5:30 – 6:30pm, we will hold a silent vigil at Farragut Square Park at 17th and K Streets, wearing black and holding signs calling for an end to the occupation, for peace through justice, and for an end to all violence against civilians. Our silence and black clothing convey our endless grief over lives lost and broken by this ongoing conflict.
At 6:30pm, we will begin our march up Connecticut Avenue to Dupont Circle. In Dupont Circle, we will stage a performance expressing the meaning of 35 years of occupation. The performance will include drumming, recitation, and visual choreography. The audience is welcome to participate.
"There is a growing movement in this country and around the world working for justice and peace for Israelis and Palestinians. In solidarity with the Israeli and Palestinian peace movement, we call for an end to the Israeli occupation," says Women in Black, DC, spokesperson Yael Flusberg. "Women have a special responsibility to work for peace: war societies marginalize non-warriors, and Israeli and Palestinian women, like American women, will not have equality – in work, in pay, in education, in their right to live in safety – until violence, including state violence, no longer threatens their lives, diminishes their status, and restricts their access to structures of power."
"We do not want to hold a vigil next year commemorating the 36th anniversary of the occupation. We believe that the occupation is destroying the Israeli and Palestinian peoples by fueling a violent cycle of desperation and revenge. The way to end the violence is to end the occupation," adds Sarah Anne Minkin, Women in Black, DC, spokesperson.
Women in Black, DC, calls for an end to the Israeli Occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem and supports the Israeli and Palestinian women who struggle to create change in their communities, who fight for their human and civil rights and the rights of their neighbors, and who are laying the foundation for peace between two sovereign states, Israel and Palestine. These women create the context for a lasting settlement in the region. They are building and will maintain the peace.
For further information, contact Sarah Anne Minkin at womeninblackdc@yahoo.com or 202-550-5881.

COALITION OF WOMEN FOR PEACE