[Marxism] Fwd: Lebanon: An Open Country for Civil Resistance

[Andrew Pollack <acpollack2@xxxxxxxxx>]

Given the repeated Zionist threats to bomb everyone remaining in
southern Lebanon the courage involved in this Beirut-to-the-south
solidarity convoy is immense. And it's political potential is equally
immense.
This is a campaign which antiwar forces of many different types and
politics can unite around. We should think about setting up a special,
cross-organization support committee for the convoy, which would hold
press conferences, distribute regular updates on their activities, hold
solidarity pickets, bombard politicians with protests against the
inevitable attacks on them, etc., etc.
Andy

-- Tony Alessandrini <tonyalessandrini@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Friends: This is the final version of the call for a
civilian presence and civilian resistance in
Lebanon--please circulate this, rather than the
previous one that I sent out. Many thanks.

Dear All,

Please distribute to the widest net of activists possible. The website
is up and running. The Arabic versions will be ready today, soon. See
you in Beirut? Thanks a million.
Rasha.

Press Release-Lebanon: An Open Country for Civil Resistance
Beirut August 7, 2006

Press Contacts:                                            
Rasha Salti,           +961 3 970855
Huwaida Arraf,           +961 70 974452
Samah Idriss,          +961 3 381349
Wadih Al Asmar,     +961 70 950780
    

On August 12, at 7 am, Lebanese from throughout the country and
international supporters who have come to Lebanon to express solidarity
will gather in Martyrâ??s Square in Beirut to form a civilian convoy to
the south of Lebanon.  Hundreds of Lebanese and international civilians
will express their solidarity with the inhabitants of the heavily
destroyed south who have been bravely withstanding the assault of the
Israeli military. This campaign is endorsed by more than 200 Lebanese
and international organizations. This growing coalition of national and
international non-governmental organizations hereby launches a campaign
of civil resistance for the purpose of challenging the cruel and
ruthless use of massive military force by Israel, the regional
superpower, upon the people of Lebanon.

August 12 marks the start of this Campaign of Resistance, declaring
Lebanon an Open Country for Civil Resistance. August 12 also marks both
the international day of protest against the Israeli aggression.

"In the face of Israelâ??s systematic killing of our people, the
indiscriminate bombing of our towns, the scorching of our villages, and
the attempted destruction of our civil infrastructure, we say No! In
the face of the forced expulsion of a quarter of our population from
their homes throughout Lebanon, and the complicity of governments and
international bodies, we re-affirm the acts of civil resistance that
began from the first day of the Israeli assault, and we stress and add
the urgent need to act!," said Rasha Salti, one of the organizers of
this national event.

After August 12, the campaign will continue with a series of civil
actions, leading to an August 19 civilian march to reclaim the South.
"Working together, in solidarity, we will overcome the complacency,
inaction, and complicity of the international community and we will
deny Israel its goal of removing Lebanese from their land and
destroying the fabric of our country," explained Samah Idriss, writer
and co-organizer of this campaign.

"An international civilian presence in Lebanon is not only an act of
solidarity with the Lebanese people in the face of unparalleled Israeli
aggression, it is an act of moral courage to defy the will of those who
would seek to alienate the West from the rest and create a new Middle
East out of the rubble and blood of the region," said Huwaida Arraf,
co-founder of the International Solidarity Movement and campaign
co-organizer. "After having witnessed the wholesale destruction of
villages by Israel's air force and navy and having visited the victims
(so-called displaced) of Israel's policy of cleansing Lebanese
civilians from their homes," continued Arraf, "it is imperative to go
south and reach those who have stayed behind to resist by steadfastly
remaining on their land."

If you are in Lebanon and want to sign up and join the convoy, contact
either:
Rasha Salti. Email: convois.citoyens.sud.liban@xxxxxxxxx     . Tel:
+961 3 970 855
Rania Masri. Email: rania.masri@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Tel: +961 3 135 279 or
+961 6 930 250 xt. 5683 or xt. 3933
If you are outside Lebanon and want to sign up and join the convoy, you
should know:
1) You need to obtain a visa for Lebanon and for Syria if your plan is
to enter Lebanon from Syria.
2) We don't have the funds to cover for the cost of your travel,
however we can help with finding accomodations.
For questions and help for all internationals please contact Adam
Shapiro at: adamsop@xxxxxxxxxxx


You can also sign up on our website: www.lebanonsolidarity.org

This campaign is thus far endorsed by more than 200 organizations,
including: The Arab NGOs Network for Development (ANND), International
Solidarity Movement (ISM), Cultural Center for Southern Lebanon,
Norwegian Peopleâ??s Aid, Lebanese Center for Policy Studies, Lebanese
Association for Democratic Elections, Frontiers, Kafa, Nahwa
al-Muwatiniya, Spring Hints, Hayya Bina, Lebanese Transparency
Association, Amam05, Lebanese Center for Civic Education, Letâ??s Build
Trust, CRTD-A, Solida, National Association for Vocational Training and
Social Services, Lebanese Development Pioneers, Nadi Li Koul Alnas, and
Lecorvaw.





  
                
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