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

[Yoshie Furuhashi <furuhashi.1@xxxxxxx>]

Anyone going to the Al-Awda Annual Convention (June 20-22, Toronto)?
I know there's a number of Canadians on this list.

*****   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/>