Email report - 3/7/04

Greetings CJME Supporters!

One year ago Rachel Corrie dedicated herself to working with Palestinians in Gaza, witnessing the daily human rights violations inflicted upon them. She witnessed house demolitions and severe restrictions of movement to schools, work and health facilities, among others violations. She planned to return to tell her story to Americans and let them hear a different story than what is told in U.S. newspapers and TV. She never got the chance to tell us her story.

Fortunately, hundreds of Americans that have traveled to the West Bank and Gaza are telling stories of what they have seen. Citizens for Justice in the Middle East has the proud honor of commemorating the life and work of Rachel Corrie on the one-year anniversary of her death on March 16. Please join us to hear Joe Carr and Barbara LeClerq, both of whom traveled to Israel and Palestine in 2003.

Here are what a few individuals said about Rachel:

- "I had the privilege of working with Rachel Corrie. Little did I know that I would witness her murder." -- Joe Carr, a 22-year old peace activist, who worked the International Solidarity Movement during his trip to Gaza

- "For Rachel Corrie - will I ever have her courage - will I let her death be in vain" (from the dedication of his "Dude, Where's My Country" book) -- Michael Moore, director of Academy Award winning documentary "Bowling for Columbine"

- People "are very very proud of Rachel Corrie, and the non-violent movement of which she was a part and which carries out its work today in her memory. But our pride is not enough. We are determined to fight for a truly international protection force under UN authority, which would make sacrifices such as Rachel's unnecessary." -- Phyllis Bennis with the U.S. Campaign to End the Occupation stated during her December 1, 2003 address at the United Nations

- "Rachel Corrie stands out as a symbol of youthful resistance to Israeli apartheid." -- Anthony Badgerow, National Lawyers Guild, University of Missouri-Kansas City Chapter


I am writing today to ask you to help us publicize the event to your friends and community. There are several ways you can help.

1) Come to the event on March 16, 7:00 PM at All Souls Unitarian Church, 4501 Walnut. Joe Carr, who worked with Rachel and witnessed her death, has a powerful and passionate presentation that captures the motivation of Rachel and others like her. Barbara LeClerq, who traveled to the West Bank in September 2003, will talk about her observations. For more information go to http://www.cjme.org/rachel.htm.

2) Communicate directly with friends and encourage them to attend this important event. The Kansas City memorial is one of nine such events nationwide on March 16 -- including Olympia, WA, St. Petersburg, FL, Atlanta, Washington, DC, among others. This is truly a momentous occasion to focus on the work of a peace activist who chose a courageous path.

3) Distribute event fliers at public meetings, colleges, libraries, worship centers and other public places. Download one of the fliers:
> Full-page - http://www.cjme.org/flyers/flyer-rachel.pdf

Lastly, if you are unable to attend, then support the "Rachel Corrie Resolution" in the U.S. Congress calling for an investigation into her death. Representative Karen McCarthy (Missouri-5th Dist) signed on to the resolution on January 27, 2004!! Urge your representative to sign on to the resolution. For more information go to http://www.endtheoccupation.org/article.php?id=83

In peace,

Matt Quinn
Secretary, CJME

816-524-3905


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About us: Kansas City-based Citizens for Justice in the Middle East (CJME) seeks to educate the American public about the issues involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to end U.S. support for the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories.

Composed of Kansas City area citizens concerned about the direction of U.S. policy in the Middle East, Citizens for Justice in the Middle East urges ordinary American citizens to speak out in favor of an even-handed U.S. policy in the Middle East that recognizes the rights and aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians. Only by respecting the need to provide both parties in the conflict with security and self-determination can a viable and just peace be assured.


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