CALENDAR OF EVENTS

WEEK OF AUGUST 19th, 2024

MONDAY, AUGUST 19th, 6 - 7:30 PM

ONLINE VIA ZOOM

BAY AREA LABOR FOR PALESTINE

THURSDAY, AUGUST 22nd, 4 PM

Stanley Dollar House, 1015 Stanley Dollar Drive

WALNUT CREEK (Rossmoor)

Rossmoor's Friends of Mt. Diablo Peace & Justice Center and Voices for Justice in Palestine present:

Dr. Feroze Sidhwa

"What I saw on a Medical Mission to Gaza"

Dr. Sidhwa being interviewed by Briahna Joy Gray

Feroze Sidhwa, MD, is a trauma and critical care surgeon based in Northern California. A veteran of numerous volunteer medical missions to areas suffering under extreme conditions, this spring he volunteered for a 2.5 week mission at Gaza European Hospital. 

Sidhwa grew up in a Parsi household in Flint, Michigan and made the decision to become a physician after being inspired by an Israeli doctor he met after college while visiting a hospital in the West Bank. In addition to his medical training, he earned a Master of Public Health degree at Harvard and taught middle school in East Baltimore.

Sidhwa has been interviewed on outlets like Democracy Now!, CNN and KPFA. He has co-authored powerful descriptions of his Gaza experience on websites such as Common Dreams and Politico. 

AFTER THE EVENT ALL ARE WELCOME

TO ATTEND A SOCIAL POTLUCK DINNER!

 BRING YOURSELF AND SOMETHING TO SHARE!

For more information contact Rich at 510-506-3727.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 23rd at NOON - REPEATS ON FRIDAYS

WEEKLY PALESTINE SOLIDARITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Weekly updates on what is happening in Palestine, calls to action, and solidarity work for organizations, activists, and supporters, particularly in the Bay Area.

Co-sponsored by Arab Resource & Organizing Center, Bay Resistance, Center for Political Education and Anti-Police-Terror Project

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR ZOOM MEETING

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8th, 11 AM - 2 PM

MORAGA COMMONS PARK

Corner of ST. MARY'S ROAD and MORAGA ROAD

South Lawn, MORAGA

FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT!

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 - SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22nd

THREE DAY INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE - ONLINE ORGANIZED BY WORLD BEYOND WAR

Ending all wars means closing all military bases. The United States of America, unlike any other nation, maintains a massive network of foreign military bases around the world, over 900 bases in more than 90 countries and territories.

These bases are costly in a number of ways: financially, politically, socially, and environmentally. U.S. bases in foreign lands often raise geopolitical tensions, support undemocratic regimes, and serve as a recruiting tool for militant groups opposed to the U.S. presence and the governments its presence bolsters. In other cases, foreign bases are being used and have made it easier for the United States to launch and execute disastrous wars, including those in Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, Somalia, and Libya. Across the political spectrum and even within the U.S. military there is growing recognition that many overseas bases should have been closed decades ago, but bureaucratic inertia and misguided political interests have kept them open.

Join us virtually – or in-person in Australia, Germany, Colombia, and the U.S. – for the 3-day #NoWar2024 Conference to learn about the impact of the USA’s military base empire and how to resist it. The conference will travel virtually across the globe, visiting sites near U.S. military bases, from Australia, to Germany, to Colombia, with the concluding event in Washington, DC, the heart of the U.S. military base empire.

MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTER HERE

Informative readings/videos/podcasts:

REV. MUNTHER ISAAC, Silence is Complicity

August 11, 2024, the Mt. Diablo Peace and Justice Center hosted Rev. Isaac during his nationwide tour. He addressed the impact of the silence of many U.S. churches in the face of mass civilian casualties and the destruction of the Palestinian homeland.

Pastor Isaac is a renowned international speaker and author who gained global attention in December 2023 for his sermon, “Christ In the Rubble” which was heard by tens of millions of people. He is also the academic dean of Bethlehem Bible College, and is the director of the highly acclaimed and influential Christ at the Checkpoint conferences. 

DEREK SEIDMAN: As DNC Kicks Off, Palestine Solidarity Activists Look to 1964 for Inspiration

"As the Democratic National Convention (DNC) begins, and with Israel’s ongoing destruction of Gaza fracturing the party’s coalition, the echoes of 1968 are hard to miss. That year, against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, protests erupted outside the DNC in Chicago, while tensions flared inside the convention. The nation saw a Democratic party in disarray."

"With mass protests occurring over Gaza at this year’s DNC — again, held in Chicago — the 1968 comparisons are apt. But there is another historical example also worth remembering."

MATT KENNARD: Resisting US Hegemony

A clear explanation of US role in the world including current role in Gaza. Especially good for neoliberal audiences since it deals primarily with US media sources, myths and propaganda.

LINKS FROM LAST WEEK:

BOYCOTT, DIVESTMENT and SANCTIONS SEARCH ENGINE

BOYCOTT ISRAEL.ORG

ADDITIONAL ONLINE SOURCES FOR ACTIONS and INFORMATION ON PALESTINE/GAZA

World BEYOND War has

a DIVESTMENT campaign!

About the Campaign

Grassroots-led war divestment campaigns are springing up all over the world, from students organizing to divest university endowments, to municipalities and states coming together to divest public pension funds. Divestment means organizing to remove public and private assets from weapons manufacturers, military contractors, and war profiteers.

Public pension and retirement funds especially are often invested, directly and indirectly, in weapons companies. Teachers and other public servants whose interests lie with promoting human needs have their retirement security tied up with maintaining or enlarging the war industry. Every dollar currently invested in weapons and war is a dollar that could be better spent on job creation, education, housing, healthcare, food security, and so much more.

War profiteering is largely normalized today. We’re working to stigmatize the war machine. World BEYOND War assists divestment campaigns led by our chapters, affiliates, other coalitions, and individuals around the world.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN HERE

NOW WHAT????

The Frontlines event on May 4th was very powerful and emotional.

FRONTLINE EVENT WAS REPORTED ON LOCAL NEWS!

We heard from several attendees that they felt compelled to act in a meaningful way. Sometimes it feels a bit overwhelming... where do we start?

In terms of direct aid going to Gaza specifically, we recommend Baitulmaal, who have been able to get aid in.

The other organization we recommend is HEAL Palestine which is focused on rebuilding and rehabilitating Gaza. Its founders are the same founders of PCRF.

There is also Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF) which evacuates children who are in need of medical treatment abroad and Medical Aid for Palestinians which offers medical services to Palestinians in Palestine and Palestinian refugees in neighboring countries.

For a full list of resources, you can access the document we put together: tinyurl.com/FrontlinesResources

One thing we are asked to do, again and again, from the people in Gaza is to raise awareness about their situation. Talk to your nearest and dearest about the ongoing genocide.

Remember, we all have a role to play and collectively, our small actions add up. Don't give up, keep raising awareness, keep boycotting, keep donating, keep advocating, KEEP CALLING YOUR LOCAL REPS!

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. 

- From the Frontlines Organization Team

MORE UPDATES COMING SOON! WATCH THIS SPACE!

This website provides comprehensive information including events & campaigns

CHECK HERE FOR LINKS TO REACH OUT TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVES!

Includes a frequently updated

calendar of local events

Peace work in the Quaker tradition

American Friends Service Committee

BOYCOTT

DIVESTMENT and SANCTIONS!

CHECK OUT THIS HANDY NEW APP!

CARE TO DONATE TO THE PEACE CENTER?

As a small non-profit, we rely heavily on donations to keep our doors open!

Use the QR code below or access the donation link on our website: https://ourpeacecenter.org/donate/

To send checks directly to the Center - use our address at 1035 Carol Lane - Lafayette, CA 94549. 

The Mt. Diablo Peace & Justice Center is a tax-deductible 501 (c)(3) non-profit.