People Power and Popular Resistance in the Middle East

The public is invited to People Power and Popular Resistance in the Middle East with Dr. Sharat Lin, who was an eyewitness to the massive demonstrations in Cairo's Tahrir Square, and Maxine Kaufman-Lacusta, author of Refusing to Be Enemies.

Sharat Lin, President of the San Jose Peace and Justice Coalition, was in Egypt during one of its most life affirming historical events, the mass uprisings which swept away the 30 year old dictatorship of Hosni Mubarak. Even though the military is now in control, the people in Egypt still have more freedom than they have had in decades, thanks to a broadbased coalition of nonviolent activism. Dr. Lin will show photos and a short video from Tahrir Square and discuss his perspective, based on his 5 years living in the Middle East and his research, on the Egyptian peoples' revolution and its import for the region and the world. A medical researcher by training, Sharat brings his interests in problem solving, inventiveness and healing to his analysis of sociopolitical trends.

The event begins with Maxine Kaufman-Lacusta's discussion based on her recently published book, Refusing to Be Enemies: Palestinian and Israeli Nonviolent Resistance to the Israeli Occupation. Ms. Kaufman-Lacusta is a Jewish Quaker and dual citizen of Canada and Israel. Her book is based on interviews with about a hundred Israeli, Palestinian and international nonviolent activists, many of them colleagues from her seven years of living in Jerusalem.

After Sharat Lin's presentation, there will be Q&A with both presenters and then a reception with booksigning.

The event is sponsored by the Resource Center for Nonviolence and the Palestine-Israel Action Committee. There is a requested sliding scale fee of $5-$15 but no one will be turned away for lack of funds!