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News :: Civil & Human Rights |
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Palestinian Truth Tour |
Current rating: 0 |
by Jan Kruse
(No verified email address) |
28 Oct 2002
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Reaction to the Event at the IDF last Friday Night, from the perspective of an elementary school teacher!
Friday night I attended an event held at the Illinois Disciples Foundation at the corner of Springfield and Wright, Champaign titled "The Palestinian Truth Tour." The two speakers (U.S. citizens) had just returned from Israel and the Occupied territory and specifically the Jenin Refugee camp. The 2 are part of the International Solidarity Movement. |
Friday night I attended an event held at the Illinois Disciples Foundation at the corner of Springfield and Wright, Champaign titled "The Palestinian Truth Tour." The two speakers (U.S. citizens) had just returned from Israel and the Occupied territory and specifically the Jenin Refugee camp. The 2 are part of the International Solidarity Movement.
I was present to seek information and to find ways as an individual to become involved in an effort to end this cycle of violence in the middle east.
As we became informed of the daily lack of freedom of movement in the camps, the road blocks and inhumane treatment toward the people suffering in these camps our hearts were broken again to be reminded of our own country's involvement and our individual contributions to this on going violence against the innocent people in the refugee camps.
It was pointed out that there is much going on in Israel that the government there and here does not want us to see. The video footage told the story of death and destruction at hands of US taxpayer supported weapons and U.S. produced Caterpillar equipment.
I was heartened to learn that the people of Palestine continue too resist by offering the children freedom schools to provide learning to their children even under occupation. The flying of kites with the Palestinian colors is another creative way to resist since the Palestinian flag is banned.
The speakers offered information about their own presence there as an active way to provide international witness to the events in the camps and to give voice to those the main stream media has refused to cover.
As an elementary school teacher the most moving part of the presentation for me was the passing of the children's art work to those present. I saw pictures just like those my 6-7 year old children draw each day. The difference that causes me the most turmoil is the fact that the pictures also include a U.S. presence. The U.S. manufactured helicopters hovering over the fields of flowers and the children playing below was sickening. Below lay the dead and dying and I became even more aware of children like those I see at school each day living in fear as their art work displayed.
We all know that fear leads to desperation. The U.S. tax dollars provide the weaponry that provides the daily assault on the innocent refugees. The settlements need to be dismantled and an International peace keeping presence needs to be placed into the area to officially witness the conditions that the Palestinian people live with each day!
Violence is a symptom.........Occupation is the disease! |
See also:
http://www.palsolidarity.org
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Palestine Truth Tour Speakers Visit Champaign
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Palestinian Child's Picture |
by Peter Miller
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
27 Oct 2002
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Click on image for a larger version
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#file_1# |
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Re: Palestinian Truth Tour |
by Greg
gregnsyl (nospam) hotmail.com (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
17 Jan 2004
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Since the Palestinian camps are in Palestinian Authority territory, who makes the flying of Palestinian Flags illegal?
Sounds like bullshirt to me... |
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Re: Palestinian Truth Tour |
by Abd al alim
rufus_king05 (nospam) yahoo.com (unverified) |
Current rating: 3
14 Apr 2004
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as slam mu alaikum
may peace and blessing of Allah be upon you and all the Palestine and those who give their lives to fight for the west bank and gaza strape for the Jews |
