Local response to Israel attacks on Gaza humanitarian aid ship

As you know, Israel attacked a civilian ship carrying medicine, food, wheelchairs, chocolate and other items to Gaza this morning--items the Israeli blockade denies to the children of Gaza. For more news of the flotilla, go to www.mondoweiss.net
Apparently, tomorrow's meeting between President Obama and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been canceled.
   What can you do in support of peace and justice? You can do one or all of the suggested actions below:

• Because today is a holiday, tomorrow you can call the White House comment line at 202-456-1111 
• or (today) you can email the President at www.whitehouse.gov/contact

Here are some easy options if you call or write:
--Tell the President that you oppose Israel's siege on Gaza and the killing of civilians in international waters
--Tell him that you oppose the illegal occupation of Palestine
--Tell the President to insist that Israel comply with international law.
   Some of you will want to say something stronger and more specific, but those of you who are not accustomed to contacting the government may want to use one of the options just mentioned.

•    Another action is to email your congressional representative

https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

•    Or (tomorrow) phone his/her local office by looking up your congressional rep's website at

http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW_by_State.shtml

•    If you wish, tomorrow you can call your representative's Washington DC office by simply calling the House Switchboard and asking for your rep's office, and they will connect you ((202) 224-3121). Once connected, ask the aide to leave a comment and they will politely write down your comment for their boss. You can ask to have the representative get back to you if you like. This assures action by someone in the office.

• Today, you can write your local newspaper. If you live in Kansas City, from where I'm writing you, write the Kansas City Star if you're so inclined--remember that it doesn't matter if your letter is published--only that the Star (or your local paper) knows that many of us care about justice and peace. If you write to the Star, your letter should be 150 words or less to letters@kcstar.com and you should put "Gaza flotilla" in the Subject line.
•    Watch Facebook and Twitter for news of local protest events. In the Kansas City area, check www.cjme.org
  

   Holocaust survivor Hedy Epstein of St. Louis, Missouri, is one of the intended sailors aboard the flotilla. It is her fourth attempt to bring aid to the people of Gaza. Hedy has visited Kansas City often and we are deeply grateful for her courage and dedication.
   For background information about the blockade of Gaza, visit the Israeli peace group  B'Tselem at http://www.btselem.org/English/index.asp
   I'll be writing to you soon about the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation's National Organizers' Conference to be held in Kansas City July 23-25 at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and will be inviting you to a talk here in Kansas City by US Campaign steering committee member David Wildman, who is also the Executive Secretary for Human Rights and Racial Justice for the United Methodist Church. David's talk is on Thursday evening, July 22. More specific information to come on those items of interest to activists and concerned people across the country. Meanwhile, please do what you can to pressure our government to in turn pressure Israel to stop its barbaric behavior for all our sakes.

Andrea Whitmore