Statement
We, the people of Texas, demand an end to Israeli atrocities against Gaza, including the land, sea, and air siege, and demand an end to the US government's support to Israel as long as it continues violating international law and denying Palestinians their human rights.
Signed:
Interfaith Community for Palestinian Rights
University of Texas at Austin Palestine Solidarity Committee
International Socialist Organization - Austin
University of Houston Students for Justice in Palestine
Islamic Circle of North America - Houston, Dallas, Austin
Council on American-Islamic Relations - Dallas
Muslim American Society - Dallas, Austin
Muslim Umma of North America - Houston, Dallas
University of Texas at San Antonio Students for Justice in Palestine
Abo Obaydah UNITY Foundation
Dallas Peace Center
Food Not Bombs - Austin
Middle Eastern Studies Student Committee
Iraq Veterans Against the War - Texas
Press Release
Texans Protest Israel's Assault on the Palestinian People.
What: A Gathering of People from around Texas Protesting Israel’s Siege of Gaza and Massacres of the Palestinian People, and U.S. Support and Funding of Israel While it Violates International Law
When: Saturday, August 2nd, 2014, 1:30 —4:00 pm
Where: Texas Capitol South Steps, Austin
Media Contacts:
Haithem El-Zabri, ICPR Spokesperson, 512-585-8184
Hassan Ali, MAS chair, 512-658-7766
Mohammed Nabulsi, PSC volunteer, 469-583-4461
Karen Dominguez, for Spanish speaking media, 512-659-4564
Austin’s Interfaith Community for Palestinian Rights (ICPR), Palestine Solidarity Committee at UT (PSC), the International Socialist Organization (ISO), and Muslim American Society - Austin (MAS), in coordination with organizations from Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio, will assemble at the Capitol to protest Israel’s assault on the Palestinian people. This will be followed by a march down Congress Avenue to City Hall, where the rally will be continued.
Since July 8th, 2014, Israel has escalated its aggression against the Palestinian people, deliberately and systematically harming civilians, killing more than 1,300 Palestinians of whom 85% were civilians according to a UN estimate. In addition, thousands have been injured, more than 3,000 homes destroyed, and more than 100,000 people displaced. Gaza has been under a harsh siege since 2007.
The rally is to demand that Israel end the illegal and immoral collective punishment of the Palestinian people, including the siege of Gaza, and that our government sanction and hold Israel accountable for violating international law and human rights. Clergy from the three monotheistic faiths will address the gathering, along with other speakers, a live link to Gaza, a march to City Hall, and spoken word performances.
We call on all people of conscience to stand with us and demand justice, liberty, and equal rights for the Palestinian people.
More information is available at www.texansforgaza.org
Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/869959109698145/ (‘Texas Stands with Gaza’)
Sponsors and Endorsers:
Interfaith Community for Palestinian Rights - AustinPalestine Solidarity Committee at UT
International Socialist Organization – Austin
Muslim American Society – Austin
Middle Eastern Studies Student Committee
Food Not Bombs – Austin
Islamic Circle of North America – Austin
Muslim American Society – Dallas
Council on American Islamic Relations – Dallas
Dallas Peace Center
Islamic Circle of North America – Dallas
Muslim Umma of North America – Dallas
Students for Justice at University of Houston
Abo Obaydah UNITY Foundation – Houston
Muslim Umma of North America – Houston
Students for Justice at UTSA
Iraq Veterans Against the War - Texas
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Event flyer can be downloaded here.
Donate
There are many expenses related to this rally, including bringing speakers, renting equipment, producing banners and signs, providing free water, and lots more. Please help us cover our costs by supporting us with a donation today*. Any extra after we cover rally expenses will be donated to the charity kinderUSA, which focuses on helping children, and will be earmarked for Gaza Emergency Relief. Thank you!
*Payment processed by Palestine Online Store
Get Informed
Electronic Intifida
The Electronic Intifada is an independent online news publication and educational resource focusing on Palestine, its people, politics, culture and place in the world. Founded in 2001, The Electronic Intifada has won awards and earned widespread recognition for publishing original, high-quality news and analysis, and first-person accounts and reviews. The Electronic Intifada’s writers and reporters include Palestinians and others living inside Palestine and everywhere else that news about Palestine and Palestinians is made.
Institute for Middle East Understanding
The Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU) is an independent non-profit organization that provides journalists with quick access to information about Palestine and the Palestinians, as well as expert sources, both in the United States and in the Middle East. Both through its website and its staff, the IMEU works with journalists to increase the public's understanding about the socio-economic, political and cultural aspects of Palestine, Palestinians and Palestinian Americans.
The Palestine Chronicle
The Palestine Chronicle is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to educate the general public by providing a forum that strives to highlight issues of relevance to human rights, national struggles, freedom and democracy in the form of daily news, commentary, features, book reviews, photos, art, and more.
69 years of Nakba
“Al-Nakba” (Arabic for “the catastrophe”) refers to the events of 1948, when two-thirds of the Palestinian population were forcibly displaced from their homes. The attempt to drive the Palestinian people off their land did not end in 1948. This 40-page booklet is a concise description and history of invasion, displacement, and mass imprisonment that have continued to the present day, blocking all efforts at justice, equal rights and peace.
Take Action
12 WAYS TO HELP PALESTINE
1. Educate Yourself
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the situation and developments.
2. Raise Awareness
Talk to friends, neighbors, co-workers and open their eyes; post on social media.
3. Lobby the Government
Let your representatives know that you do not support pro-Israel positions.
4. Engage the Media
The media needs to keep hearing from us in order to balance its reporting.
5. Join your local solidarity group
Power in numbers; you can be more effective working as part of a local group.
6. Protests & Banner Drops
Protest is a powerful form of showing solidarity and helping raise awareness.
7. Connect the Struggles
Emphasize the parallels with other struggles for social justice; Ferguson!
8. Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions
BDS is making an impact and can topple Israel’s Apartheid just as in South Africa.
9. Display your solidarity
Wear a Palestine t-shirt, put a bumper sticker on your car, hang a flag.
10. Donate for Humanitarian Aid
Emergency relief aid is severely needed,particularly for the children of Gaza.
11. Shop Palestinian
Support the farmers and artisans in Palestine by shopping Palestinian products.
12. Visit Palestine
There is nothing like seeing it for yourself; it will transform your perspective.
This list brought to you by Texans for Palestine.