Special Events: Mon Jan 6 - Adam Shapiro & Huwaida Arraf; Wed Jan 8

Monday January 6, 7:00 pm

Huwaida Arraf and Adam Shapiro: Life Under Israeli Occupation: International Solidarity Movement Activists Report Back

New College, 766 Valencia Street, San Francisco
Live Webcast: http://www.newcollege.edu/cesa

Huwaida Arraf and Adam Shapiro are members of The International Solidarity Movement (ISM) that began peacefully and creatively intervening on behalf of Palestinian human rights last year, just as Israel stepped up its military offensive in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Since that time the ISM has joined campaigns to accompany Palestinians living under military curfews, harvesting crops, and resisting land grabs and home destruction by Israeli settlers and occupation authorities. Shapiro, spent a day in Palestinian President Yassar Arafat’s Presidential Compound in Ramallah while it was besieged by the Israeli Army in the Spring or 2003.

Arraf and Shapiro will offer reflections on the first year of ISM's work and a report back from Arraf’s recent trip to Palestine, focused on the enormous wall currently being built by Israel in the occupied territories. They will also give updates on upcoming ISM campaigns and answer questions about their efforts and what is required for participation in upcoming peace activities including Freedom Summer (in xxx). Finally they will comment on the Bush plans for War against Iraq, the development of a nonviolent resistance movement in Palestine, and what Americans can do to promote peace and justice in the Middle East. Sponsored by Global Exchange, International Solidarity Movement and New College. Contact Rula Kalafawi, rula [at] globalexchange.org, 415-255-7296

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Wednesday January 8, 7:30 pm

A Woman for Peace: Medea Benjamin

New College, 766 Valencia Street, San Francisco

Live Webcast: http://www.newcollege.edu/cesa

Medea Benjamin, is an organizer of the Women’s Peace Vigil in Washington, DC to oppose a war with Iraq. The vigil has been instrumental in building a broad-based anti-war movement. Benjamin, a powerful and charismatic force in human rights activism, has struggled for social justice in Asia, the Americas, and Africa for over 20 years. She is the Founding Director of Global Exchange. She has worked as an economist and nutritionist in Latin America and Africa for the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Health Organization, the Swedish International Development Agency, and the Institute for Food and Development Policy. Benjamin will speak about her efforts to stop a US military invasion of Iraq. Contact: Katrina, speakers [at] globalexchange.org, 415-255-7296 x244