SUSTAIN

Philly Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions

2011-02-01T13:35:00.000-05:00

Philly SUSTAIN is actively participating in Philly Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions. Visit phillybds.org for more info!

Come out to First Friday with SUSTAIN!

2009-06-25T12:03:00.004-04:00

We'll be holding up the mock wall in Old City and giving out information about the Apartheid Wall, U.S. support for the occupation, and the current situation in Palestine.

(Meet us at the corner of 2nd and Market at 6:30PM -- hope to see you there!)

Join Us for a Passover Vigil

2009-04-02T22:42:00.001-04:00

Hi folks,

If you can't make it to the all-night vigil and teach in on Tuesday, try to come out Wednesday morning for the Free Gaza protest that SUSTAIN is sponsoring, from 8-10am in front of the Israeli Consulate. Our work is not over!

--
Join us for a night different from all other nights -remembering, storytelling learning, and solidarity!

The teaching of Passover is at the core of the ethical tradition of Judaism: Remember we were slaves in the land of Egypt. How we treat another people defines who we are as a people. As Jews, we take this moment to affirm our ethical tradition by acknowledging the Deir Yassin massacre, an event symbolic of the atrocities of 1948, and those since, committed in our names. And we invite you to stand with us as we reinvigorate our commitment to work today for peace with justice in Israel-Palestine.

from Deir Yassin* to Gaza:
an 18 hour Passover vigil Beginning Tuesday, April 7 at 4:00 PM Continuous through Wednesday, April 8 at 10:00 AM Outside the Israeli Consulate, 19th and JFK Blvd. in Philadelphia Tentative Schedule:

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Opening events
6:00 PM Deir Yassin Memorial
8:00 PM A Passover Ritual of Memory and Repentance
10:00 PM Teach-In, Learning & Discussion
7:00 AM Morning Prayers
8:30 AM Gaza Protest and Call to Action

Please mark your calendars, and spread the word to your community.
Let us know for what part of our event you would like to join us -offer a teaching, read a poem, etc. Additional information will be forthcoming.

Please direct any questions or concerns to Susan Landau, at sjlandau@aol.com.

This event is sponsored by Philadelphia Jews for a Just Peace, PhillyJJP@gail.com the local chapter of American Jews for a Just Peace, www.ajjp.org .

** In the early morning of April 9, 1948, three Zionist militias -the Haganah, Irgun and Stern Gang -- attacked the Palestinian village of Deir Yassin, located west of Jerusalem. More than 100 men, women and children were massacred. Some were mutilated and raped before being murdered. Twenty-five men from the village were paraded through Jerusalem and then executed in a nearby quarry. Those able to escape fled to East Jerusalem.

Word of the terror attacks spread rapidly, causing many Palestinians to flee, fearing for their lives. Within a year of the massacre, Deir Yassin, which had been emptied of Palestinians, was re-populated with Jewish immigrants and its name was removed from the map.For Palestinians, Deir Yassin became the symbol of the sudden loss of their homes and homeland and the near destruction of their society, a situation which endures until today. When Israel was established sixty years ago, more than 700,000 Palestinians were exiled and 78 percent of the land of historic Palestine was lost.

Philadelphia Israeli Apartheid Week Calendar

2009-02-28T21:55:00.004-05:00

First launched in Toronto in 2005, IAW has grown to become one of the most important global events in the Palestine solidarity calendar. Last year, more than 25 cities around the world participated in the week's activities, which also commemorated 60 years since the expulsion of the Palestinian people from their homes and land in 1947-1948. IAW 2008 was launched with a live broadcast from the South African township of Soweto by Palestinian leader and former member of the Israeli Knesset, Azmi Bishara.

This year, IAW occurs in the wake of Israel's barbaric assault against the people of Gaza. Lectures, films, and actions will make the point that these latest massacres further confirm the true nature of Israeli Apartheid. IAW 2009 will continue to build and strengthen the growing Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement at a global level.

Join us in Philadelphia for a week of action and education.

Saturday, February 28: Gaza Fundraiser

5-8pm Calvary Church 48 & Baltimore Featuring: Middle Eastern Food, Presentations by Doctor Labiq Syed & Doctor Labib Syed, brothers of John Hopkins & members of the Islamic Medical Association of North America, who recently traveled overseas to provide care in war-torn Gaza and will share information about their trip.

Spoken Word: Poets Aysha El Shamayleh & Ashraf Osman, Music by: Paddy Corcoran (of Paddy and the Hostages), Informational Loop Presentation created by Aine Fox Tickets: $10 - General Admission $25 & Above - Solidarity $5 for unemployed & students Call 215-724-1618 or email phillyiac@action-mail.org for ticket information or to make reservations.All proceeds to the Emergency Gaza Appeal of the United Palestinian Appeal Sunday,

Sunday, March 1st and Monday, March 2nd: City-wide Guerrilla Media Event

email sustainphilly@gmail.com for more information

Tuesday, March 3rd: Occupation 101 Documentary Screening followed by an Open Forum

7.00PM
Fisher-Bennett 401 (3340 Walnut St).
Co-Sponsored by: Penn for Palestine, SUSTAIN, Jews for a Just Peace
Join us as we watch this wonderful documentary, followed by an open forum.

Documentary Synopsis:
A thought-provoking and powerful documentary film on the current and historical root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Unlike any other film ever produced on the conflict -- 'Occupation 101' presents a comprehensive analysis of the facts and hidden truths surrounding the never ending controversy and dispels many of its long-perceived myths and misconceptions.

Email pennforpalestine@gmail.com

Wednesday March 4th: Protest Motorola!

Meet at 12:30pm at 18th and Chestnut to protest Motorola’s complicity in Israel's human rights violations and military occupation. There are 4 cell phone stores at 18th and Chestnut, all who sell Motorola phones and we will call on the corporation to cease producing and selling equipment to the Israeli army to prevent its involvement in future abuses.

Email sustainphilly@gmail.com for more info

Thursday, March 5th: Divestment Teach in, Temple Students for Justice in Palestine

Temple SJP reignites their divestment campaign with a Divestment Teach-In at 5:30 pm in the Student Center (corner of 13th and Montgomery) room 220.

Email monirage@gmail.com for more information

Friday, March 6th: Bubbes and Zaydes Israeli Consulate Vigil

Noon, Corner of 19th and JFK Email cswartz@pil.net for more information

Saturday, March 7th: Silent candlelight protest at the Opening Night Gala of the Israeli Film Festival

Candlelight Demonstration at the "Gala Opening" of the Israeli Film Festival of Greater Philadelphia -- gather at 7pm in front of the Gershman YMHA (Broad and Pine Streets) - please dress in black, bring a candle and join Philadelphia Jews for a Just Peace in solidarity with the Palestinian people

contact phillyjjp@gmail.com for more info

Sunday, March 8th: International Women's Day March

At 12 Noon, we will rally at City Hall, march down Broad Street with banners, signs, songs and chants, and continue the program with our afternoon Speakout and Cultural Performances, at 260 South Broad Street. Bring Palestinian flags, banners, and signs supporting Palestinian women and children.

SUSTAIN Meeting Tonight!

2009-02-10T08:44:00.000-05:00

Tuesday, February 10th
7pm
Kaffa Crossing, 4423 Chestnut Street.

SUSTAIN is open to all who are interested in getting involved! We would love to have more members, and now is an opportune time to get involved.

We will be discussing our role in the emerging Free Gaza Network in Philadelphia, fundraising, and our annual "Letters to Palestine: Words of Resistance" February event.

Gaza Teach-In at U Penn

2009-02-09T22:06:00.000-05:00

The War on Gaza

A Teach-In and Discussion with Penn Faculty and Members of the Penn Community
Wednesday, February 11, 5:30-7pm

McNeil Center for Early American Studies
3355 Woodland Walk
University of Pennsylvania

Intersection of Sansom and 34th St, across from Citizens Bank

For further information contact:
loomba@english.upenn.edu
amkaplan@english.upenn.edu

Don't forget MLK Day candlelight vigil!

2009-01-18T21:07:00.003-05:00

Hi folks. With all the recent events, this might be the biggest. Here's our official announcement, from the ad-hoc coalition Philly Gaza Action Group.

WHAT: Candlelight Vigil and March Led by Women and Children in Solidarity with the People of Gaza

WHEN: Monday, January 19, 2009 at 5:30 PM

WHERE: Gathering at Israeli Consulate (1880 JFK Blvd) and Marching to City Hall (15th and Market)

On January 19th, 2009, people throughout the United States will celebrate the life, legacy, and birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who was assassinated on April 4th, 1968. Dr. King was one of the foremost leaders of the Black civil rights movement in this country, an organizer extraordinaire for peace and justice, and an eloquent orator who challenged racism, injustice, and oppression everywhere. Exactly one year before he was killed, in a speech entitled "Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence," Dr. King called the U.S. government and military the "greatest purveyor of violence in the world today." These words are especially significant today, as the United States government continues its unequivocal support of Israel's criminal bombardment and massacre of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

As people of conscience we call for solidarity with the people of Gaza who are suffering at the hands of the one of the most advanced militaries in the world today. Supported by the United States, Israel has imposed a near total blockade on Gaza since June 2007 which has led to a breakdown in basic services including water and sanitation, electricity, fuel and medical supplies. Two-thirds of Gaza's 1.5 million people are currently without electricity and the remaining one-third are limited to just a few hours each day. As a result of these illegal sanctions 30% of children under 5 years suffer from stunted growth due to chronic malnutrition and 75% of the population now rely on food aid.

Some 1100 Palestinians have been killed since the Israeli assault on Gaza began 20 days ago, with close to 5000 injured, according to Israeli newspaper Haaretz and the International Red Cross. Many of the victims are women as well as children, who make up more than half of the population.

Join together with the peace and justice communities of greater Philadelphia and across the country, as we do justice to Dr. King's memory, and the memories of others like him, by demanding an end to Israel's war on the Palestinian people and the support it receives from the United States government.

LET THE PEOPLE OF GAZA LIVE!

END THE ECONOMIC BLOCKADE OF GAZA!

STOP ALL U.S. AID TO ISRAEL!

END THE ISRAELI OCCUPATION OF PALESTINE!

Event: Panel Discussion on Ceasefire

2009-01-18T21:04:00.002-05:00

Here's another event in Philly, not sponsored by SUSTAIN but with discussion on the situation in Gaza.

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE NEWS
What's Going on in Gaza? What's with the Cease Fire?

A Discussion by Three Activists
Followed by questions and discussion by attendees

SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2009 –2:00 pm
STAPELEY RETIREMENT COMMUNITY, 6300 GREENE ST.

Corner Washington Lane and Greene, Germantown

*********

Anan Zahr is a Palestinian activist in the Philadelphia area; a board member of the Ameriacan-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee and of Playgrounds for Palestine. She teaches Arabic at Villanova

Janet Amighi is an anthropologist specializing in the Middle East, teaching at Montgomery Community College

Libby Frank is a member of WILPF's national and international Middle East Committees and the local WILPF branch

There's more than meets the eye and reaches the public from the corporate media. Come and participate and see if you're missing anything.

*********
Sponsored by the Philadelphia branch of the Women's International League for Peace & Freedom

For further information, contact Heather Shafter hshafter@comcast.net

Panel Discussion & More on Obama Rally/Protest

2009-01-14T22:39:00.004-05:00

Check out this event at Villanova, and look below for more details about the Obama train stop in Philly this Saturday, sponsored by World Can't Wait.

The Conflict in Gaza:
A panel discussion by members of the Center for Arab and Islamic Studies

Featuring professors Nasser Chour, Julie R. Klein, Marwan Kreidie, and Catherine Warrick, and moderated by Dr. Lowell Gustafson

Villanova University
Connelly Center Cinema

Thursday, January 22, 2009
4:30 pm

"From Guantanamo to Gaza, Stop the US War of Terror and Torture. The world can't wait!"

When Obama boards the Amtrak train to Washington D.C. from 30th street station tell him and the world that people living in the U.S. are fed up with war and torture for empire. On the heels of inauguration, we want the new president to know that we oppose Wars for Empire - from more troops in Afghanistan to legitimizing the massacre in Gaza in the name of security. Moreover, if you are horrified by what is going on in Gaza and Afghanistan or scared about an attack on Iran, make your voice heard on Saturday, January 17th at 30th street station. Although, we do not know what time in the morning that Obama plans on boarding, we are setting a tentative time frame and are planning on being flexible:

Saturday January 17th, 2009
30th & Market Street Corner

9am-Noon (Pending when Obama gets on the train and when he departs) Tentative Time!

sponsored by World Can't Wait
philly@worldcantwait.org

Additional Actions this week

2009-01-13T23:14:00.001-05:00

Thursday, 1.15.09, Penn March for Gaza: 11AM - 1PM

March for Gaza from the Bridge to the Button with Penn for Palestine, leaving from the bottom of the bridge (in front of ABP on 38th and Locust) and marching to the Button in front of the library and back for two hours.

Friday 1.16.09-Grandparents for Peace Demonstration at 19th and JFK from noon to one

More Philly Actions for Gaza!

2009-01-12T19:58:00.000-05:00

We had a very productive public meeting yesterday to discuss actions in solidarity with Gaza and the Palestinians. This week, a series of events are being planned. Please see the below calendar, and don't hesitate to get in touch with questions.

Thanks!
SUSTAIN
267-455-9279

Philadelphia Action for Gaza
· Monday 1.12.09- ADC National Wear-Your-Kaffiyah day

· Tuesday-1.13.09- ADC day of fasting

· Tuesday 1.13.09- panel discussion sponsored by IAC [contact Betsy, bpiette@hotmail.com]

· Wed 1.14.09- 4:30-6 pm Rally Israeli Consulate, 19th and JFK. [contact SUSTAIN at sustainphilly@gmail.com]

· Fri 1.16.09- Consulate March/Rally planned by Arab community [contact Linda Hannah, aridfishing@verizon.net]

· Saturday 1.17.08-Obama Protest, 30th Street Station [contact Koyuki, livinginphilly@gmail.com]

· Monday 1.19.08-Tables at Gallery, Rittenhouse, 69th Street, ect. [contact Betsy, bpiette@hotmail.com]

· MLK Day Candlelight Vigil focused on impact on Women and children, 5:30, Israeli Consulate: [contact SUSTAIN at sustainphilly@gmail.com]

"Philly Jews Say: Not in My Name"

2009-01-12T19:54:00.004-05:00

...Just one of the messages we sent out at the counter-protest to the Israel rally last Thursday. You can see photos here.

Philadelphia & Gaza

2009-01-08T20:36:00.005-05:00

This week, SUSTAIN decided to call a meeting due to the current crisis in Gaza and the momentum in Philadelphia around the issue. Please attend, and forward widely.

Calling All Activists Concerned With Palestine!

What: A public meeting to gather in person to plan more responses to the crisis in Gaza and future action in support of Palestine

Where: LAVA, 4134 Lancaster Avenue, SEPTA trolley route #10

When: Sunday, January 11, 2009, 3 – 5 pm

Recent action in Philadelphia to support the people of Gaza has been strong and unified. Let’s continue to raise our voices together to support a just and lasting peace.

Also, be sure to check out media coverage of last Saturday's Gaza demonstration at the Philadelphia Inquirer, and from CBS3 Video.

Dave Butler took some great photos available here.

Upcoming Action: March on Washington for Gaza

2009-01-07T22:09:00.003-05:00

Here's a great action opportunity. We're not sponsoring but some of us in SUSTAIN will attend.

There is a march in DC on Saturday to protest the invasion and massacre of Gaza, and we want to have a strong Philadelphia presence. There are prepaid buses that will leave at 9am from in front of the Al-Aqsa Masjid 1501 Germantown Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19106, returning by 9 PM on Saturday. If you would like to take the bus, PLEASE CONTACT Nabil 215-307-0167, Sonia 215-876-5427 or Rebhi 267-228-8448 as soon as possible.

LET GAZA LIVE!

Stop the U.S./Israeli War Against the Palestinian People

National March on Washington

Saturday, January 10

Assemble at the White House (north side) at 1:00 PM

Sponsoring organizations: Muslim American Society Freedom, Free Palestine Alliance, American Muslim Task Force, National Council of Arab Americans, Al-Awda - International Palestine Right to Return Coalition, ANSWER Coalition, and hundreds of others

Gaza Crisis Call to Action: Counter-Protest 1/8/09

2009-01-07T20:47:00.002-05:00

Counter-Protest at "We Stand with Israel" Rally

When: Thursday 1/8/09 @ 11:30am

Where: Meet at 15th St. & Market St. by Clothes Pin Statue (we will move together to rally at Love Park at 11:50 am).

This is a call to the people of Philadelphia to mobilize a counter-presence at the "'We Stand with Israel" rally sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and others this Thursday, January 8th at 12:00pm. Co-sponsored by SUSTAIN and PJJP (Philadelphia Jews for a Just Peace), we ask that you join us.

As a group of Jews and people of all backgrounds, we stand with the world majority-- including the thousands of Israelis who've taken to the streets to protest the actions of their government- in calling for an immediate end to Israel's current and devastating aggression in Gaza, for Israel to be held accountable for it's actions, and for our fellow Pennsylvanians to join us.

The "We Stand with Israel" rally sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and others is being held at Love Park on 16th St. and JFK Blvd. We will meet at 11:30am at the giant Clothes Pin statue on 15th St. and Market St and move to the rally at 11:50am. For anyone coming from West Philly, we will be gathering making signs at a home at the corner of 50th and Catherine St. at 10:00am (email nlmcgiffert@gmail.com for more details). We will then get on the 34 trolley at 11:04am.

Please wear black for cohesion and to symbolize loss.

Photos from Al-Nakba Demonstration

2008-05-19T17:40:00.002-04:00

Many thanks to all those who participated in yesterdays action, commemorating the Al-Nakba by sending a cloud of black balloons over the Israel@60 parade. It was an incredibly dramatic and powerful event, and sent a clear message to those celebrating that Palestinians and those that stand for peace will not be silenced.

The Philadelphia Daily News shot a video of our protest that can be viewed here: Protesters Clash on Parkway.

This event was the culmination of 60 Days of Action for 60 Years of Palestinian Dispossession. Thanks to all who supported these two months of education and action! If you are interested in getting involved with SUSTAIN or other Palestine solidarity work, please email sustainphilly@gmail.com.

SUSTAIN will be meeting tomorrow, Tuesday May 20th, at Kaffa Crossing to debrief the demonstration and chart our next steps. Our meetings are open to all. Kaffa Krossing is located at 4423 Chestnut St.

Volunteers Needed! Commemoration of Al-Nakba

2008-05-14T10:38:00.001-04:00

-please forward widely

On Sunday, May 18th , Philadelphia-area Middle East peace activists will cast a shadow of mourning on The Israel at 60 anniversary celebration.

As supporters of Israel celebrate down the Ben Franklin parkway, Palestinians and solidarity activists send a cloud of black balloons into the sky to mark the 60th anniversary of Palestinian dispossession.

Volunteers are needed to prepare and release the balloons in order to make this action as effective as possible.

To prepare balloons meet at 10AM at AFSC (15th and Cherry Sts) on Sunday, May 18. To release balloons, arrive by 11AM for a rally in front of AFSC. Remember to wear black!

To help plan this commemoration, please meet at Calvary Church on Thursday, May 15 at 6:30pm. This event is sponsored by the Philadelphia Al-Nakba Coalition, http://phillyalnakba.org/

For those concerned with the environmental effects of balloon releases, let it be known that we are not tying strings to the balloons and that latex, made from natural tree rubber, is biodegradable.

60 Days for 60 Years has a website

2008-02-29T01:16:00.005-05:00

The "Philly Remembers Al-Nakba... 60 Days for 60 Years" campaign has a new website! For now, the best place to find info about what we're working on is at http://www.phillyalnakba.org.

SUSTAIN is an integral part of the Al-Nakba Coalition, but remains its own organization. We have big plans! As always, you can contact us at sustainphilly (at) gmail (dot) com with questions or to get involved.

60 Days of Action for 60 Years of Disposession

2008-01-19T23:44:00.001-05:00

Hello SUSTAIN supporters!

Philadelphia SUSTAIN-Stop US Tax Aid to Israel Now!, in collaboration with other social justice organizations around Philadelphia, is organizing 60 days of action for 60 years of Palestinian dispossession. 2008 commemorates 60 years since Al-Nakba, the Catastrophe, when in 1948 the State of Israel was founded over the displacement and exile of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.

SUSTAIN is heading an international call for focused, targeted action to support human rights, including the right to return, in Palestine. We are working with other organizations to establish a calendar of 60 days of protests, cultural events, readings, and film screenings to educate Philadelphia about where our tax dollars are going and where they're not going, the violence they're funding in Palestine and the positive change they could make if they were redirected to fund our city's needs.

SUSTAIN is a small, grassroots organization and we would love you to get involved! If you have been wanting to plug into Palestine Solidarity work locally, now is the time!

Email sustainphilly@gmail.com to get more information on how to participate in organizing for the 60 Days of Action.

Photos from First Friday!

2007-08-06T13:47:00.000-04:00

For more pictures from our wall display on August 3, visit us at myspace.com/sustainphilly!

July Events with SUSTAIN!

2007-07-06T17:46:00.000-04:00

Tuesday, July 17: Join SUSTAIN for a discussion of One Country by Ali Abunimah, founder of Electronic Intifada. We'll be discussing the introduction, which lays out Abunimah's vision of a just, peaceful one-state solution in Palestine/Israel. You can find the book at your local independent bookstore or library; if you need help getting a copy, email us. (At the Last Drop coffee shop, 13th and Pine, 7 pm.)

Tuesday, July 31: If you're good at crafts or design, help us repair SUSTAIN's wall panels! We have large panels covered with information and photographs about Palestine and U.S. aid. Join us to fix them up and do role plays about how to engage constructively with passersby when doing street theater and public education about Palestine. (At the Women's
International League for Peace and Freedom, 1213 Race Street.)

Friday, August 3: Come out to First Friday with SUSTAIN! We'll be holding up the mock wall in Old City and giving out information about the Apartheid Wall, U.S. support for the occupation, and the current situation in Palestine. (Meet us at the corner of 2nd and Market -- hope to see you there!)

Meet SUSTAIN!

2007-07-03T11:51:00.000-04:00

Come to the next SUSTAIN meeting!
July 3 at 7 pm
Last Drop Coffee House (1300 Pine Street)

If you came to the party or caught a ride to DC on the bus, we encourage you to attend this meeting. It'll be the perfect opportunity for new folks to get involved as we'll be starting new projects this summer and fall. Your participation is essential the continued expansion and greater impact of our solidarity work!

For the rest of the summer, SUSTAIN will continue meeting on the first and third Tuesday of every month (plus July 31st) at 7 pm. We have yet to confirm a regular meeting place, so be on the lookout.

Mark your calendars now--July 3, July 17, July 31, August 7, August 21, September 4.

Philly in DC

2007-06-12T14:47:00.000-04:00

Thanks to all who came with SUSTAIN, Jewish Voice for Peace, and other Philly groups to protest 40 years of Israeli occupation. The bus sold out and we had to get two more vans at the last minute to accommodate all of Philadelphia's energy!

About 5000 people rallied on the Capitol and marched to the White House, carrying messages that demanded an end to the occupation; protested U.S. support for the occupation through military aid and foreign policy; and mourned not just 40 years of occupation but 59 years of displacement, since the Nakba.

To see more pictures, visit this post.

For more on the march, check out the U.S. Campaign to End the Occupation's press release.

$555 Raised for Needle in the Groove!

2007-06-09T23:22:00.000-04:00

Thanks to everyone who came out for SUSTAIN's house party fundraiser on Friday!

Your contributions totaled $555, which will go directly to Needle in the Groove, a music camp in Palestine this summer in which North American women musicians and Palestinian girls will hold a week-long cultural exchange with the theme “Music of Struggle.”

Visit the website to find out more, and stay tuned for updates from SUSTAIN member Alissa Wise, who will bring your donations to Palestine and film the camp this summer.

If you couldn't make it to the party, you can still donate at needleinthegroove.org. Thank you for supporting this amazing project!

SUSTAIN's Super Sweet House Party & Benefit

2007-05-16T20:58:00.000-04:00

Friday June 8 from 8PM on
4707 Hazel Ave, West Philly

Featuring DJ Alex Smith
$5 donation

to benefit Needle in the Groove, a music/quilting summer camp for Palestinian girls.

Come party and help us raise money for this amazing project in Palestine.

DC on June 10: Say No to Occupation

2007-05-10T08:34:00.000-04:00

The World Says No to the Israeli Occupation!
Washington DC, June 10

On the 40th anniversary of Israel's illegal military occupation of the Palestinian West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem, join concerned Philadelphians in Washington, DC, June 10-11, 2007 for a protest, teach-in, and lobby day.

Join the Philadelphia Contingent!

A bus will be going to DC from Philly for the protest on June 10. We will leave at 9:30am from the parking lot next to the A Space at 4722 Baltimore. We will return that evening.

Bus tickets cost $25-$50 sliding scale. You MUST buy your ticket ahead of time. No ticket sales will be made the day of the event.

Tickets are available:

Online at http://phillyjune10.blogspot.com/
Robins Books, 108 S. 13th Street
Bindlestiff Books, 4530 Baltimore Ave
The Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, 1213 Race Street
The Wooden Shoe Bookstore, 508 S. 5th Street

----
Right now, billions of dollars each year go from U.S. taxpayers to the Israeli military, funding the destruction of Palestinian homes, agriculture, and infrastructure. At the same time, people in the U.S. -- including in Philadelphia -- face crises around health-care, housing, and education. Federal taxes need to come home to support our cities instead of a militarized, racist foreign policy in Palestine, Iraq, and around the world.

We in the United States have a special obligation to protest Israel's illegal military occupation because it is our government that provides Israel with the uncritical military, economic, diplomatic, and corporate support that it needs to sustain and expand its control of the Palestinian West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem.

And Israel's human rights violations of the Palestinian people are not limited to the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Both in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Palestinians are subjected to a system of apartheid. Inside Israel, Palestinian citizens are discriminated against and cannot exercise their full rights as citizens. And Israel continues to deny Palestinian refugees, who were forcibly exiled from their homeland during Israel's establishment, their internationally guaranteed right of return.

4/17: Taxes for Classrooms, Not for Cluster Bombs!

2007-04-10T21:23:00.000-04:00

Join SUSTAIN on tax day, next Tuesday, April 17, from noon to 1 to say:

Taxes for Classrooms, Not for Cluster Bombs!
End U.S. Tax Aid to Israel Now!
No Taxes for Occupation!

We will be holding banners in front of 30th Street Post Office with these messages. We'll also be giving out information about our taxes going to war and occupation in Palestine, Iraq, and around the world, instead of building healthcare, education and housing here in Philly.

PLEASE RSVP! Email us to get involved. See you then!

4/12: Panel on Boycotts, Divestment, and Sanctions Against the Israeli Occupation!

2007-03-29T13:01:00.000-04:00

There is a growing international movement of boycotts, divestment, and sanctions against the Israeli occupation. What will it take to implement BDS in Philadelphia? Join us for a panel discussion and conversation:

Why divest? What is the divestment movement?
Temple University Divestment Campaign
Presbyterian Church Divestment initative

Thursday, April 12, 7pm
International House, 2nd Floor
3701 Chestnut Street

Hosted by Philadelphia SUSTAIN! [Stop U.S. Tax Aid to Israel Now!]

The U.S. government and U.S. taxpayers are complicit in the illegal occupation of Palestine through billions of dollars of tax-funded aid to Israel every year. Furthermore, our cities and schools invest in companies like Boeing and Lockheed Martin that supply weapons to the Israeli military as part of aid packages.

There is a growing international movement to resist Israeli human rights violations through economic and political pressure. On July 9, 2005, over 150 Palestinian political parties, unions, associations, coalitions and organizations issued a call to impose broad boycotts and implement divestment initiatives against Israel similar to those applied to South Africa in the apartheid era.

The movement to divest from Israel has been building through student and community organizations in Philadelphia since this call was issued. This discussion will work to unite our efforts and strategize about Philadelphia's role and participation in the International Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement.

For more information on divestment:

http://www.jai-pal.org/content.php?page=264
http://www.divestmentsupport.org/FAQs.html
http://electronicintifada.net/bytopic/boycott-divestment-sanctions.shtml

SUSTAIN Meeting Tuesday, May 1

2007-02-15T15:57:00.000-05:00

To find out more and get involved in SUSTAIN's work, come to our next meeting: Tuesday, April 1 at 7 pm at Kaffa Crossing (4423 Chestnut).

LOVE PHILLY Letters Cancelled

2007-02-13T16:26:00.000-05:00

Due to weather, Tuesday's LOVE PHILLY event at Kaffa Crossing was cancelled.

Upcoming events include an Anti-Displacement Film Night (March 18) and a LOVE PHILLY Teach-In (March 29). Check the blog for place & time information.

Email us to get on our (very occasional) mailing list and stay up to date on our events and campaigns!

February 13: LOVE PHILLY Letters!

2007-01-30T13:54:00.000-05:00

Join us on February 13 to launch LOVE PHILLY: Bring Our Money Home! The campaign's first event will be a Valentine's Day letter-writing party. We'll send valentines to mayoral candidates reminding them that they should be advocating for the city we love. They should be paying attention to where the money Philadelphians put into the federal pot goes, and demanding that it come back here, toward affordable, accessible health care, housing, and education, instead of sponsoring occupation in Palestine. Come to learn more about the campaign, meet others who are interested, and spread the word about where our tax money is and isn't going.

At Kaffa Crossing (4423 Chestnut), 7-9 pm. Art supplies provided, but feel free to bring your own as well!

To find out more or RSVP, contact us or read about the first letter-a-thon and the LOVE PHILLY Campaign.

Next SUSTAIN Meeting: February 6

2007-01-24T23:46:00.000-05:00

Come work on LOVE PHILLY!
Tuesday, February 6 at 7 pm
Kaffa Krossing (44th & Chestnut)

Abir Aramin, daughter of Bassam Aramin of Combatants for Peace, killed by Israeli troops

2007-01-21T19:56:00.000-05:00

Many Philadelphia activists witnessed the power of the organization Combatants for Peace when members toured Philadelphia spreading their message of nonviolent struggle to end the Israeli occupation.

One of their members has suffered a terrible tragedy, a result of the ongoing brutality of the occupation. Please do what you can to end to suffering of Palestinian kids and families. Do what you can to fight for a just peace!

from Faculty For Israeli-Palestinian Peace:

Dear friends,

I am sorry to inform you about terrible News: Abir Aramin, the 10 year old daughter of Bassam Aramin from Combatants for Peace was killed by Israeli troops during her school's recess.

We ask faculty and students world wide to condemn this action by the Israeli army and the general practice of firing in the vicinity of schools without regard for the lives of young Palestinian children. We call upon the Israeli army to punish those who are responsible for this tragedy and stop killing Palestinian children. In 2006,140 Palestinian children were killed by the Israeli army, almost triple the number killed in 2005. This practice must end.

Yoav Elinevsky

LOVE PHILLY: Bring Our Money Home!

2007-01-18T13:47:00.000-05:00

SUSTAIN Philly [Stop U.S. Tax-funded Aid to Israel Now] demands that our tax dollars stop destroying in Palestine and start building in Philadelphia.

Right now, billions of dollars each year go from U.S. taxpayers to the Israeli military, funding the destruction of Palestinian homes, agriculture, and infrastructure. At the same time, people in the U.S. -- including in Philadelphia -- face crises around health-care, housing, and education. Federal taxes need to come home to support our cities instead of a militarized, racist foreign policy in Palestine, Iraq, and around the world.

SUSTAIN aims to raise awareness in Philadelphia about where our tax dollars are going and where they're not going, the violence they're funding in Palestine and the positive change they could make if they were redirected to fund our city's needs.

SUSTAIN Philly and our friends use multiple tactics to educate and agitate around U.S. tax policies. Ideas for action include public art; teach-ins; letter-writing parties; fundraising for organizers in Philadelphia and Palestine; and public service announcements on the radio and TV. This is just the beginning!

To get involved, email us. For events and updates, keep checking sustainphilly.blogspot.com!

SUSTAIN Meeting this Tuesday

2007-01-04T22:12:00.000-05:00

SUSTAIN Meeting at the Last Drop Coffee Shop (13th and Pine)
Tuesday, Dec 19th at 7pm
Bring a friend or two!

Thanks for all that came to our last organizing meeting. We are excited to launch our new campaign: Love Philly: Bring our Money Home!

If this sounds interesting to you, come to the SUSTAIN Meeting to be part of this dynamic movement building initiative.

email sustainphilly@gmail.com for more information or call 267-455-9279

Endorse the LOVE PHILLY Campaign!

2007-01-01T16:01:00.000-05:00

If you support the LOVE PHILLY Campaign statement, we would love to hear from you! We want to show our own city government, federal policy-makers, activists in Philly and around the world, and Palestinian movements for justice that Philadelphians want our money to be building Philadelphia, not destroying Palestine.

Email us to tell us you support the campaign as an individual or an organization; we will add your name to this list. If you don't wish to make your name public, just let us know -- we still appreciate your words of solidarity.

LOVE PHILLY: Bring Our Money Home!

Organization Endorsements:
Philadelphia SUSTAIN

Individual Endorsements:

Photos from DC

2007-01-01T15:02:00.000-05:00

Get in touch!

2007-01-01T08:56:00.000-05:00

Contact SUSTAIN Philly by email to find out more or to get involved!

Join SUSTAIN!

2006-12-03T21:21:00.000-05:00

Think about getting involved in SUSTAIN! Our next meeting is on Tuesday, December 19 at 7 pm; email us for location info or to find out more.

"Letters for Palestine" was a big success!

2006-12-03T21:12:00.000-05:00

This afternoon, about 20 Philadelphians wrote letters to friends, family, journalists, political prisoners, and policy-makers about the situation in Palestine and Lebanon and the U.S.'s role -- expressing solidarity, asking questions, and demanding change. We raised about $500 today, which will support the work of Samidoun in Lebanon, Flowers Against the Occupation on the West Bank, and the Middle East Children's Alliance's relief work in Gaza.

If you couldn't make it today but want to donate, please do! Contact sustainphilly at gmail.com and we'll tell you how.

There was a lot of enthusiasm about today's event, so we're thinking about doing it again, even regularly -- keep your ears open for more info, and speak up if you want to help it to happen.

Today we sent letters to:

Arlen Specter
John Conyers
Nancy Pelosi
Chaka Fattah
Jimmy Carter
ADDAMEER Prisoner Support
Bob Casey
the Israeli Consultate General of Philadelphia
Marty Moss-Coane
Terry Gross
CityPaper
Philadelphia Weekly
...plus friends and family.

Change of Venue

2006-11-27T14:13:00.000-05:00

Sunday's letter-a-thon has been moved from Kaffa Crossing to The Last Drop (13th & Pine). Join us for the event -- see below or contact SUSTAIN for more information!

Join Us on Sunday!

2006-11-26T00:01:00.000-05:00

Thanks to David Markel for this beautiful poster!

December 3: Letters for Palestine

2006-11-15T00:43:00.000-05:00

SUSTAIN-Philly will host "Letters for Palestine: Words of Resistance" on Sunday, December 3rd from 2-5 PM downstairs at The Last Drop (13th & Pine).

This event will benefit Samidoun in Lebanon, Women for Life/Flowers against the Occupation on the West Bank, and the Middle East Children's Alliance relief efforts in Gaza. Please join us for an afternoon of education and solidarity!

Participants in the letter-a-thon will write letters to politicians, family, members of our communities of origin, our teachers and clergypeople, newspapers, Flowers Against the Occupation, our neighbors, organizations, long-lost friends, and others. Our letters will be political, educational, and personal. For inspiration, we will read Beirut Blues by Hanan al-Shaykh, Letters from Young Activists, and more.

Our goal is to raise $1500. We ask all participants to contribute at least $50 through sponsorships, a personal donation, or some combination of the two. If you can't come but want to support the effort, sponsor a friend!

Through pursuing sponsors, participants will raise awareness about the U.S. role in the Israeli assault on Lebanese and Palestinian lives and land. At the same time, we'll spread the word about resistance and rebuilding being organized by Samidoun and Women for Life/Flowers against the Occupation.

We hope that the letters we send will help get more of us involved in demanding an end to US aid to Israel, rerouting our tax dollars toward affordable housing, living-wage jobs, access to health care, and funding for our school systems.

The event will also be a good time! We'll be in an intimate and fun venue, and we will supply nice pens, stationary, notecards, typewriters, etc. for letter writing.

To participate or to find out more, email sustainphilly at gmail.com.

Meet SUSTAIN!

2006-06-05T14:25:00.000-04:00

SUSTAIN meets the first and third Tuesday of the month at 7 pm at Kaffa Crossing (4423 Chestnut). To find out more and get involved in SUSTAIN's work, come to our next meeting! For more information, email sustainphilly [at] gmail.com.