Al-Walaja Nakba Day 15 May 2011 via Mazin Qumsiyeh

As of now at local time Monday morning 2 a.m. May 16, 2011, Mazin Qumsiyeh is still being detained.  His cell phone battery died as he called and wrote down the names and countries of the seven internationals that were detained with him so they can get help calling their respective country's embassy (Ireland, USA, Canada, Germany, Netherland.)  

 

© www.qumsiyeh.org

Later, he borrowed someone else's phone to call and inform his family [this letter is via his family] to let them know that all the internationals would be released shortly, but not him and other Palestinians. For them, he said, maybe days.  

He sounded in good spirit and did not seem to be mistreated. Your calls to the U.S. State Department, Senators, Congresspersons, and foreign governments if you are non-US nationals will help.

Here is a video that he took up to the moment when he was arrested.  He managed to pass on the video to a friend before being taken away.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfizCh0TaZE

Many of you wrote in response to the earlier e-mail breaking the news of Mazin's arrest.  His family greatly appreciates that.  Please understand that they may not be replied individually due to the overwhelming responses. They will send updates as they become available.


Hope I have good news to share with you tomorrow [via family] 

 

*Professor Mazin Qumsiyeh teaches and does research at Bethlehem and Birzeit Universities in occupied Palestine. He serves as chairman of the board of the Palestinian Center for Rapprochement Between People and coordinator of the Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements in Beit Sahour.

He is author of "Sharing the Land of Canaan: Human rights and the Israeli/Palestinian Struggle" and the forthcoming book “Popular Resistance in Palestine: A history of Hope and Empowerment”

• Free Gaza movement & US Boat to Gaza:
• http://www.FreeGaza.org 
• http://UStoGazaWest.org/
• http://www.UStoGaza.org

• Support ISM volunteers in West Bank and Gaza Strip!
• http://www.palsolidarity.org

Susan Marie Public Relations

Think Twice Radio 

New York USA 2011

 

100 Cities, One Night for Autism: Buffalo: Academy Award Director Gerardine Wurzburg

Celebrating “100 Cities, One Night For Autism”, the critically-acclaimed film, "Wretches and Jabberers", will play for a one night limited engagement in Buffalo on Thursday, May 12th at 7:30pm at Dipson Amherst Theatre 3500 Main Street.


Directed by Academy Award®-winner Gerardine Wurzburg, the feature documentary follows two men with autism, Tracy Thresher and Larry Bissonnette, who embark on a global quest to change attitudes about disability, intelligence and communication. 

Watch the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzZ_I0LoTaM

“100 Cities, One Night for Autism” is a unique, nationwide, theatrical event taking place on Thursday, May 12th when 100 theaters in nearly every major U.S. city, from New York to Honolulu, screen "Wretches and Jabberers" on the same evening. 


The event was conceptualized by production company State of the Art, Inc with distribution partners Area23a and Screenvision in response to a surge in public demand for more showings of "Wretches and Jabberers" after the documentary’s successful 40-city tour in partnership with the Autism Society during April, which is Autism Awareness Month.

“100 Cities, One Night for Autism” is sponsored by the John P. Hussman Foundation in partnership with the Autism Society.  "This one day event is possible because of the commitment by Learning Disabilities Association of WNY to bring the important message of Wretches & Jabberers to your community,” stated Gerardine Wurzburg, Academy Award winning director.


About Wretches and Jabberers:

Directed by Academy Award®-winner Gerardine Wurzburg (Educating Peter), "Wretches and Jabberers" follows self-advocates Tracy Thresher and Larry Bissonnette as they challenge global attitudes about autism and issue a hopeful message to reconsider competency. A powerful story about personal struggle that rings with intelligence, humor, hope and courage, the feature documentary is about the life-sustaining power of relationships – the personal connections that people make through communication. 


The film is produced by Douglas P. Biklen and Gerardine Wurzburg, funded by the John P. Hussman Foundation, a production of State of the Art, an Academy Award®-winning communications company that creates programs, materials and campaigns in education and health that make the leap between good ideas and change. www.stateart.com

“Banishes the myths about autism and reveals its global face.” – Parade


“An eye-opening and most entertaining doc… nearly perfect” 
–  The Hollywood Reporter


“Autism finds its voice.” – Newsweek

Tickets: www.wretchesandjabberers.org

Email: contact@wretchesandjabberers.org

Facebook: facebook.com/wretchesandjabberers

Website: www.wretchesandjabberers.org


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Susan Marie Public Relations
Think Twice Radio
New York USA 2011

ART Community Dialog: The Voices of Western New York Artists

In keeping with the mission statement of community support, American Repertory Theater of Western New York has created a website and Facebook Page dedicated to opening up online forums to discuss issues facing WNY Artists. This new Website Public Forum page is entitled "The Voices of Western New York Artists."

These public forums are designed for all members of WNY Cultural Groups, media, individual artists and anyone with an opinion that faces Artists in Western New York.

Those visiting The Voices of WNY Artists website and the Facebook page are encouraged to post opinions, offer links to blogs & websites, announce upcoming shows and, most importantly, utilize their voices for the sole purposes of creating dialog and being heard.

The mission of the American Repertory Theater is two fold.  To produce both classic and contemporary theatrical works and support a new generation of playwrights. These productions are purposefully created through the innovative exploration of these selected works, thereby enhancing the cultural and intellectual experience of the theatergoer.

Second, the American Repertory Theater will serve as a catalyst for community dialogue and action that will result in sustained economic growth and increase the collaboration within all sectors of our community.

Facebook

WEBSITE 

For information: 

Matthew LaChiusa (716) 884-4858  

email artofwny@msn.com

 

Freedom Flotilla II and The Canadian Boat to Gaza, "Tahir"

The Canadian Boat to Gaza campaign announces today the successful conclusion of arrangements to purchase and register a boat to carry the Canadian delegation to Gaza. The boat’s name Tahrir (Liberation in Arabic) has been chosen to honour the square in Cairo that was the focus of the democratic uprising that has spread hope across the Middle East.  

The Tahrir will sail with vessels from France, USA, UK, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Greece, Turkey, and other countries, as part of the Freedom Flotilla II. This international movement in solidarity with the Palestinian people turns the spotlight on the blockade of Gaza and its 1.6 million residents whose access to resources and ability to travel has been unilaterally impeded by the illegal Israeli blockade.


The 25-metre Tahrir will carry approximately 45 people: delegates from across the country, high profile Canadians plus journalists. As well, the Canadian campaign has partnered with campaigns from other countries and will carry delegates from Australia, Belgium and Denmark. 


A new website: http://www.tahrir.ca/ was launched today to coincide with news of the boat’s purchase and will be the site for online donations.

As the Israeli government continues to threaten the use of force against the Freedom Flotilla II, we call on all Canadians, including Members of Parliament from all parties, to join with us in demanding that the Canadian government take concrete steps to guarantee the safety of humanitarians headed to Gaza. 

“My heart is with the participants in the Canadian boat to Gaza in this important initiative for freedom and justice for Palestine. I urge the Canadian government to do all it can to prevent Israeli aggression against the flotilla and the activists aboard the boats,” said Jewish Holocaust survivor and Palestine rights activist Suzanne Weiss in Toronto.

The world is watching: we will not be intimidated and we will not forget the Palestinians of Gaza.

End the Blockade of Gaza!

Tear down the Apartheid Walls!

End the Israeli collective punishment on the Palestinian people, Free Palestine!

Support the Free Gaza movement & US Boat to Gaza break the siege on Gaza!

http://www.FreeGaza.org

 

http://UStoGazaWest.org/

http://www.UStoGaza.org
 

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Susan Marie Public Relations

Think Twice Radio 

New York USA 2011