Re: Al-Awda Annual Convention (June 20-22, Toronto)

[Tony Tracy <tony@xxxxxx>]

Yup. I expect I'll be there pretty much throughout the weekend.

Cheers,

Tony Tracy



On Thu, 12 Jun 2003, Yoshie Furuhashi wrote:

> Anyone going to the Al-Awda Annual Convention (June 20-22, Toronto)?
>
> *****   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@xxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> 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@xxxxxxxxxxx
> 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/>
>