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PEACE CENTER ACTIVIST ALERT


Week of March 10th

TUESDAY, MARCH 11th, 4 PM

Club Room at Creekside

1010 Stanley Dollar Drive, Walnut Creek (Rossmoor)


Voices for Justice in Palestine - Rossmoor

presents:


RETURNING TO HAIFA


Under the direction of theater writer/director Victoria Rue, we are presenting a reading of a new Palestinian play “Returning to Haifa.” 


The play is based on Ghassan Kanafani’s novella and adapted for the stage by Ismail Kalidi and Naomi Wallace. 


It presents a deeply human portrait of two families, one Palestinian, one Jewish, forced by history into an intimacy they didn't choose. But while this is a play about the Middle East, it is also very much about ourselves today. This is political drama at its best: personal, darkly comic, and ultimately hopeful.


The 1969 novella “Returning to Haifa” remains one of the most important and timeless works by Ghassan Kanafani (1936-1972), the great Palestinian novelist and intellectual who authored some of the most admired stories in modern Arabic literature. Ghassan Kanafani was assassinated in Beirut in 1972 at the age of 36.

 

“Returning to Haifa” is a testament not only to Kanafani's commitment to the politics of liberation, but also his deep empathy for the 'other' as well as his modern approach to storytelling..


For more info contact Donna Barker: DonnaGBarker1@gmail.com


TUESDAY, March 11th, 5 - 6 PM



A DEMONSTRATION FOR COMMUNITY BUILDING







MEET EACH TUESDAY AT THE CORNERS OF

MT DIABLO BLVD & MORAGA ROAD

LAFAYETTE


 Let’s continue to show that our community is awake to what is going on in our country and that we are not sitting quietly at home expecting things to change or to go away on their own. 


Instead, we’re choosing to go out and make our voices heard in a show of support and solidarity for our beliefs. 


Bring your own signs or make one when you arrive.



JOIN US!

SUNDAY, MARCH 16th, 9 AM PST - WEBINAR


ISRAELI CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

SHARE THEIR STORIES


REGISTER HERE

Panelists:
  • Atalya Ben-Abba is the Social Media Manager for the Refuser Solidarity Network. Atalya refused in 2017 and spent 110 days in the military prison because she wanted to publicly condemn the Israeli occupation, and not take part in its practices. Atalya has been an activist for the past ten years, working mainly in Jerusalem and the West Bank.
  • Mattan Helman is the Executive Director of the Refuser Solidarity Network. Mattan spent 110 days in prison because he refused to join the Israeli army and oppress Palestinians.
We'll also hear from Israeli conscientious objectors Einat Gerlitz and Tal Mitnick, who will be traveling across Canada for the Anti-Zionist Refusenik Speaking Tour throughout the month of March, hosted by Independent Jewish Voices (IJV) in partnership with the Mesarvot Network.
 The webinar will be moderated by Ron VanNorstrand, Vietnam-era veteran and coordinator of Veterans For Peace Chapter 51. Ron initiated contact with the Refuser Solidarity Network in solidarity and support, and to guide the advancement of a refuser/conscientious objector movement in the U.S.
Sign up HERE for the March 16 webinar to hear from Israeli conscientious objectors and how we can work to end Israel's occupation of Palestine
Towards a world beyond war,
Greta Zarro, Organizing Director, World BEYOND War, greta@worldbeyondwar.org

MONDAY, MARCH 24th - FRIDAY, MAY 4th

ONLINE COURSE ALERT

War and the Environment

Course Overview

Militarism is one of the world’s top polluters and a leading contributor to the climate crisis, yet it is often exempted from key environmental standards. War and war preparations heavily pollute air, water, and soil and pose severe threats to ecosystems, species, and biodiversity. The U.S. military is one of the biggest polluters on Earth, and wars are frequently driven by the extraction and control of resources, especially oil and gas. To meet global climate goals, biodiversity targets, and sustainability commitments, we must address the environmental impact of war and militarism.
  Click here to register and to learn more

FRIDAY, MARCH 28th, 3 - 5 PM

EMBARCADERO PLAZA, SAN FRANCISCO

GATHERING ON LAST FRIDAY OF RAMADAN

ENDS SATURDAY, APRIL 19th, 3 PM

2025 ART & WRITING CHALLENGE and

YOUTH ACTIVIST GRANT AWARDS


WE ARE OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS!



ATTENTION YOUTH, EDUCATORS, and PARENTS!


CONTEST FOR CONTRA COSTA MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ANNOUNCED!


CHALLENGE TOPIC FOR 2025:

“Climate Change: Your Thoughts, Feelings, and Ideas” 

 

· The negative effects of climate change on our health, labor force, housing, economy, and security, both domestically and internationally.

· How can we reverse the path towards the destruction of our planet and its inhabitants in a peaceful and socially just manner?

· How has climate change affected you, your family and friends, and your community?

 

CHECK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

Our 27th Annual Art & Writing Challenge, named in honor of its founder Dennis T. Thomas, is organized to encourage local youth to address issues of peace and social justice through fine art (includes visual art, sculpture, photography, video, and music) or writing (creative writing or essay).


The 7th Annual Youth Activist Grant is given to deserving youth who show exemplary leadership and dedication for social justice, organizing and human rights.


For more information on the contest rules, submission instructions, etc.


ADDITIONAL NOTES:


We would LOVE to hear from you if you would like to volunteer for this inspiring project!


Please consider supporting this effort by making a financial contribution to the Peace Center in honor (or memory) of a family member/friend. We will acknowledge your gift in our awards notification materials.


THANK YOU AND PLEASE SHARE WIDELY!


FIND A FLYER HERE

Suggested readings/videos/podcasts:


MARC LAMONT HILL interviews Richard Wolff: The American empire is over: Trump, tariffs and the rising power of BRICS



CAITLIN JOHNSTONE: West’s Support For Israel Is No. 1 Threat To Free Speech

"President Donald Trump has made a post on Truth Social saying federal funding will be cut to universities which allow “illegal protests” on their campuses, obliquely referring to pro-Palestine demonstrations against Israel’s genocidal atrocities.

“All Federal Funding will STOP for any College, School, or University that allows illegal protests,” Trump said. “Agitators will be imprisoned/or permanently sent back to the country from which they came. American students will be permanently expelled or, depending on on the crime, arrested. NO MASKS!”"

JEFFREY SACHS: Negotiating a Lasting Peace in Ukraine

There should be little doubt about how a lasting peace can be established in Ukraine. In April 2022, Russia and Ukraine were on the verge of signing a peace agreement in Istanbul, with the Turkish Government acting as mediator. The U.S. and U.K. talked Ukraine out of signing the agreement, and hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians have since died or been seriously injured. Yet the framework of the Istanbul Process still provides the basis of peace today.


From last week:

JOE LAURIA: Ukraine Timeline Tells the Tale

WORLD BEYOND WAR Reports from the Global Day of Action to Close Bases


BISAN OWDA: I'm still alive - February 27th, 2025

ADDITIONAL ONLINE SOURCES FOR ACTIONS and INFORMATION ON PALESTINE/GAZA

ARE YOU A UC ALUMNI? -  ACCESS DIVESTMENT LETTER HERE! 



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!

USCPR Website
JVP Website
Code Pink Events

Includes a frequently updated

calendar of local events

AROC Website Calendar
Palestine Ambassador Resources

Peace work in the Quaker tradition

American Friends Service Committee

AFSC Events

BOYCOTT

DIVESTMENT and SANCTIONS!


CHECK OUT THIS HANDY APP!


No Thanks App


The No Thanks App, created by Palestinian app developer Ahmed Bashbash, uses product barcodes to help consumers boycott brands capitalizing on Palestinian genocide.


Download No Thanks on iPhone


Download No Thanks on Android

Peace is Possible!   

Mt. Diablo Peace and Justice Center

at Creekside Commons

1035 Carol Lane 

Lafayette, CA 94549

925-933-7850  www.ourpeacecenter.org