CALENDAR OF EVENTS

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 4th, 2024

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5th, 2024

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9th, 12 - 3 PM

MT. DIABLO PEACE & JUSTICE CENTER

Oakview Room / Courtyard at Creekside Commons

1035 CAROL LANE, LAFAYETTE

POTLUCK FOR PALESTINE

IN HONOR OF PALESTINIAN CHILDREN

One year ago, Palestinian children in Gaza held a press conference in front of Al Shifa hospital asking the world to intervene. In honor of Palestinian children and responding to the call by Gazan poet Mosab Abu Toha, several local organizations have joined together to gather in solidarity, seeking an end to the carnage.

Although the Peace Center is hosting the event, Soul of My Soul Exhibit is providing Palestine-themed craft activities for children. In addition, various vendors/artists and action items including Hope for Palestine and BDS information will be featured.

THIS IS A FREE EVENT. Please bring some food to share. Dishes and utensils will be provided.

PLEASE REGISTER HERE or use QR code below.

USE PARKING LOT A - first entrance into Creekside Commons off of Mt. Diablo Blvd. in Lafayette. Parking is free.

Building is wheelchair accessible.

info@ourpeacecenter.org or 925-933-7850.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11th -

VETERANS / ARMISTICE DAY

11 AM - MARCH - HARRY BRIDGES PLAZA, SF

12 NOON - 2 PM SPEAK OUT - SENATOR PADILLA'S OFFICE at 333 BUSH ST., SF

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16th 10 AM - 6 PM

935 Carleton St., Berkeley (near 8th and Carleton)

MECA's 21st ANNUAL

PALESTINIAN HOLIDAY CRAFTS BAZAAR

Sponsored by Joining Hands and Middle East Children's Alliance

TICKETS: $5, Kids under 18 Free, available via EVENTBRITE

Ticket prices help cover new venue costs. (This is first and foremost a Palestine solidarity event and no one will be turned away for lack of funds)

Support Palestinian artisans and keep ancient crafts alive! Purchase unique holiday gifts that support Palestinian children and families.

Olive oil, ceramics, embroidery, jewelry, olive wood, cookbooks, keffiyehs, soap, stunning scarves & shawls, Palestinian Dead Sea products, children’s toys and books, kitchenware, t-shirts, and much more.

Plus delicious Arabic food and coffee! Lunch tickets available for 3 seating times (11:30am, 1pm, 2:30pm)

Enjoy a taste of Palestine with Zaytoon’s mouthwatering selection of freshly made falafel, creamy hummus, smoky baba ghanouj, and fluffy pita bread. Paired with a refreshing, vibrant salad, each dish is crafted with traditional flavors and fresh ingredients, offering an authentic and satisfying culinary experience. Celebrate the rich food heritage of Palestine with every bite!

For more info email meca@mecaforpeace.org, or call (510) 548-0542

Wheelchair accessible

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17th, 5-8 PM

5724 W. POSITAS BLVD., #300, PLEASANTON

FREE DINNER, DOCUMENTARY FILM SCREENING & DISCUSSION WITH MEMBERS OF INTERFAITH COMMUNITY

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER OR USE QR CODE BELOW

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23rd, 6 - 9 PM

DOORS OPEN AT 5 PM for appetizers/networking

~ You’re Invited! ~

Mount Diablo Peace & Justice Center's

16th Annual Peace & Justice Awards Dinner!

JOIN US!

Saturday, November 23rd 6 - 9 PM

(Doors open at 5 PM for appetizers/networking)

Mt. Diablo Peace & Justice Center

Main Hall - Creekside Commons

1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette

(Abundant free parking, wheelchair accessible

and not far from Lafayette BART)

Since our 40^th Anniversary in 2009, the Mt. Diablo Peace & Justice Center has been holding an annual awards dinner wherein we acknowledge the efforts of individuals and organizations, all based in the Bay Area, who are addressing issues of peace and justice that are important to us all. 

WINNERS ANNOUNCED!

This year the following individuals and organizations are being recognized for their dedication, focus and impact:

• MIDDLE EAST CHILDREN'S ALLIANCE (MECA), its founder, Barbara Lubin and current Executive Director, Zeiad Abbas Shamrouch; 
• DENNIS BERNSTEIN, for his decades of work hosting KPFA (SF Bay Area) radio's program, Flashpoints;
• VETERANS FOR PEACE - represented by Gerry Condon, Paul Cox and Michael Wong.

The evening includes a Full-course Dinner,

Speakers and Live Music!

Although this is a fundraiser, our higher goals are to not only provide an educational and social networking opportunity for our community of members and friends, but to also provide recognition and a bigger voice to the activists in our area, those who are actually "doing the work!".

What better way to create change than to share an evening and

break bread together? 

TICKETS:

• $65 per person
• $55 per person (Peace Center Members)
• $400 for a reserved table for 8.
• Sliding scale may be available upon request

For updates, please check back on our website at www.ourpeacecenter.org

For more information, please contact the Center at (925) 933-7850 or info@ourpeacecenter.org

Thank you for your support!

Informative readings/videos/podcasts:

JEFFREY SACHS at the Cambridge Union, a speech and Q&A at 6pm in the Debating Chamber on Tuesday 22nd October 2024.

JONATHAN KUTTAB: On the Banning of UNRWA

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) was created shortly after the Nakba in 1948 to provide immediate relief to Palestinian refugees displaced by that war until such time as they could return to their homes, as stipulated by UN Resolution 194. Its mandate was strictly defined. UNRWA was not a development or resettlement agency, but a temporary relief agency whose budget had to be raised from member countries, and others, separately from the United Nations itself or the UN High Commissioner of Refugees which oversees other refugee issues worldwide. Historically, the US has been the largest donor and about 72 different countries currently contribute yearly to its budget.

LINKS FROM LAST WEEK:

DIALOGUE WORKS: Discussion with economists Richard Wolff and Patrick Bond about the BRICS summit

EUGENE DOYLE: US is spending $28 billion on Sinophobic propaganda to colonise your brain

PEACE GAZETTE SUMMER 2024 IS HERE!



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 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.