***** Al-Awda Annual Convention
Al-Awda,the Palestine Right to Return Coalition, calls on all supporters of justice and Palestinian rights, to come together at its first annual convention in Toronto, Canada from June 20-22, 2003 to:
* Affirm Palestinian refugees' Right to Return to their homes and lands * Resist plans to normalize occupation and legalize ethnic cleansing * Resist Israeli Apartheid and Racism * Organize!
This is a critical juncture in Palestinian and Arab history. In the wake Iraq's occupation, the introduction of the so-called "road map" and the Bush administration-sponsored restructuring in the Palestinian Authority with a leadership that is abrogating basic principles of justice and international law, it is imperative that those who support Palestinian rights meet to learn, strategize and organize for the future. It is with this goal in mind that Al-Awda, The Palestine Right to Return Coalition will be hosting its 2003 convention -- "Palestinian Right of Return and Self-Determination in a New Colonial World: Strategies and Actions."
This comes at a time when persecution of Palestinian refugees, especially those living in Iraq and Lebanon, is on the rise. Thousands of Palestinians living in Baghdad and other Iraqi cities have been abused and evicted from their homes and apartments by forces supported and financed by the occupiers. Meanwhile, a group of Lebanese officials are spearheading an attempt to strip thousands of naturalized Palestinian refugees of their Lebanese citizenship, thereby depriving them of basic civil and social rights. All that comes as daily Israeli massacres and home demolitions against Palestinians inside Palestine continue unabated.
In order for this convention to be successful, we need the support and participation of all concerned individuals and organizations. The convention will bring together a large number of activists and organizers to hear, communicate and organize with a diverse array of guests and panelists from across North America and around the world.
Confirmed speakers include Dr. Salman Abu Sitta, Dr. Adel Samara, Jaber Suleiman, Dr. Ghada Talhami, Dr. Naseer Aruri, Rabab Abdel Hadi, Hanan El- Masu, Dr. Ibrahim Makkawi and other representatives from Palestinian refugee camps in Palestine, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan.
While we are facing very difficult times, we are also presented with important opportunities to come together and solidify our coalitions and our solidarity. Palestinian national and individual rights cannot, and should not be denied any longer. Please attend and support the Al-Awda convention, and raise our voices in unity, for justice!
For more information, please write to info at al-awda.org.
Registration form and convention information are available at this link: Al-Awda INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION <http://www.al-awda.org/?page=Al-Awda%20INTERNATIONAL%20CONVENTION>
Al-Awda, Palestine Right to Return Coalition P.O. Box 1172 Orange, CT 06477 E-mail: info at al-awda.org WWW: http://al-awda.org Fax: 1-802-609-9284
<http://www.al-awda.org/?page=Al-Awda%20Annual%20Convention> *****
-- Yoshie
* Calendars of Events in Columbus: <http://www.osu.edu/students/sif/calendar.html>, <http://www.freepress.org/calendar.php>, & <http://www.cpanews.org/> * Student International Forum: <http://www.osu.edu/students/sif/> * Committee for Justice in Palestine: <http://www.osudivest.org/> * Al-Awda-Ohio: <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Al-Awda-Ohio> * Solidarity: <http://solidarity.igc.org/>