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</font><font face="arial" size=2>The United Nations has declared November
29th as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People
because it was on this fateful date in 1947 that the UN had decided to
partition Palestine into two states. 57 years later, the
Palestinians have yet to attain their inalienable rights as defined by
the UN: the right to self-determination; the right to national
independence and sovereignty; and the right to return to their homes from
which they were displaced. In fact, they have yet to attain their
right to walk to school without getting shot at, their right to access
their farms that are now on the other side of the Wall, their right to
movement from village to village, their right to their water, their right
not to have their homes demolished, their right not to be arrested
without charge, and so on...<br>
<br>
On the occasion of this day of solidarity, Alaqsaintifada.org salutes the
Palestinian people for their heroic resistance to Israel's brutal
military occupation of their lands and their lives. Despite more
than 3,200 Palestinians being killed in the past 4 years, (most of them
civilians, including more than 600 children), the Palestinian people
stand strong and continue to struggle against injustice, no matter what
the price.<br>
<br>
We also take this opportunity to remind the peace-loving citizens of the
world that their solidarity and support is urgently needed in order for
Palestinian human rights to be secured. With Sharon and Bush in
power, the future looks very bleak for the Palestinian people, and your
help is needed now more than ever.<br>
<br>
Support can be provided in a variety of ways:<br>
<br>
1. Go there - be a witness of the atrocities, stand in solidarity, return
to your country and give talks and presentations. Please contact
the International Solidarity Movement to make arrangements, at
<a href="http://www.palsolidarity.org">www.palsolidarity.org</a>.
Even a one-month stay would personally connect you to the issues, as well
as remind the Palestinian people that they are not alone. <br>
<br>
2. Lobby your representatives. Contact them continuously and demand
that they oppose their government's support for Israel's crimes. In
the U.S., you can find your representatives at
<a href="http://www.capwiz.com/adc/dbq/officials/">www.capwiz.com/adc/dbq/officials/</a>
(provided by the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee). <br>
<br>
3. Write to the media. In the Western world, mainstream media often has a strong pro-Israeli bias, misrepresenting and distorting the situation, in turn influencing public opinion. Demand the truth from them - if more of the public knew the real facts, it would certainly become more difficult for Israel to get away with its crimes. For media-related resources, please see Palestine Media Watch, at <a href="http://www.pmwatch.org">www.pmwatch.org</a>. <br>
<br>
4. Seek and share information. One of the most effective ways to educate the people around you about the real situation, is by personal discussions. In addition, you may lend them a book, or a documentary film. Some excellent books and films may be found at the Palestine Online Store (<a href="http://www.palestineonlinestore.com">www.palestineonlinestore.com</a>), the AET Book Club (<a href="http://www.middleeastbooks.org">www.middleeastbooks.org</a>), and the Institute for Palestine Studies (<a href="http://www.palestine-studies.org">www.palestine-studies.org</a>). For online information, please see Electronic Intifada (<a href="http://www.electronicintifada.net">www.electronicintifada.net</a>), Palestine Chronicle (<a href="http://www.palestinechronicle.com">www.palestinechronicle.com</a>), Al-Awda Palestine Right to Return Coaltion (<a href="http://www.al-awda.org">www.al-awda.org</a>), and the Stop the Wall Campaign (<a href="http://www.stopthewall.org">www.stopthewall.org</a>). <br>
<br>
5. Financial support. Purchasing items made in Palestine such as handmade wood carvings, embroidery, or olive oil, helps Palestinian artisans and farmers, as well as the Palestinian economy in general. Handcrafts can be found at United Palestinian Appeal (<a href="http://www.helpupa.org">www.helpupa.org</a>), Palestine Children's Welfare Fund (<a href="http://www.pcwf.org">www.pcwf.org</a>), and Palestine Online Store (link in item 4, above). Olive oil can be purchased from <a href="http://www.palestineoliveoil.com">www.palestineoliveoil.com</a>. Donations enable relief organizations to do their vitally needed humanitarian work. Donations can be made to KinderUSA (<a href="http://www.kinderusa.org">www.kinderusa.org</a>), Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees (<a href="http://www.upmrc.org">www.upmrc.org</a>), and Welfare Association (<a href="http://www.welfareassociation.org">www.welfareassociation.org</a>), among others. <br>
<br>
6. Get Active! To find an activist group near you, please see the website of the US Campaign to End the Occupation (<a href="http://www.endtheoccupation.org">www.endtheoccupation.org</a>). You could either volunteer and become an organizer in a local group, or just subscribe to their mailing list and be informed and participate in upcoming events.<br>
<br>
Again, your support is needed.<br>
In Solidarity,<br>
Alaqsaintifada.org<br>
<br>
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<font size=3 color="#FF0000">The Freedom Archives<br>
522 Valencia Street<br>
San Francisco, CA 94110<br>
(415) 863-9977<br>
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