NEWS RELEASE
Citizens For Justice In The Middle East
6100 W. 52nd Street,
Kansas City, Missouri
816-524-3905

For: Immediate Release
Contact: Matt Quinn
816-524-3905

Event in Kansas City to “Remember Rachel Corrie” on March 16, 2004

One year ago on March 16, Washington state student Rachel Corrie dedicated herself to working with Palestinians in Gaza, witnessing the 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. She never got the chance to tell us that 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 area residents Joe Carr and Barbara LeClerq, both of whom traveled to Israel and Palestine in 2003.

The above event is free to the public and is sponsored by the Citizens for Justice in the Middle East, Muslim Student Association of UMKC, National Lawyers Guild—UMKC Chapter, PeaceWorks/KC and Kansas City Iraq Task Force

> Where: All Souls' Unitarian Church, 4501 Walnut (1 block east of Main), KC, MO
> When: Tuesday, March 16, 2004, 7:00 pm - free and open to the public
> More information on the event: http://www.cjme.org/rachel.htm
> Photo of Rachel Corrie: http://www.cjme.org/images/rachelcorrie.gif

Here is 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 local peace activist, who worked with 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

Information about Citizens for Justice in the Middle East

Kansas City-based Citizens for Justice in the Middle East 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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