Monday, June 27, 2011

Gaza, We Are Coming: Greek officials attempt to block U.S. Boat to Gaza


On Saturday, 25 June, the French boat, Dignity / Karama, left the port of l'ile Rousse in Corsica, France, to meet up with at least nine other vessels sailing to Gaza to challenge Israel's illegal blockade. 

Israel's best efforts to stop the boats at port, including pressure on governments, threats against insurance and communications companies, intimidation of human rights defenders, frivolous lawsuits and other underhanded tactics, have thus far failed. 

The Freedom Flotilla has set sail. In the coming days the rest of the vessels in the flotilla, two cargo ships and seven other passenger boats, will leave from various ports to a meeting point in international waters from which the boats will sail all together towards Gaza. They will carry nearly three thousand tons of aid and hundreds of civilians from dozens of countries, including members of parliament, politicians, writers, artists, journalists and sports figures, as well as representatives of indigenous peoples and various faith groups. 

Some of the vessels are facing delays admittedly initiated by bogus complaints from the Israel Law Center, attempted sabotage of some boats, as well as administrative obstacles created by the Greek government in response to Israeli pressure. 

There is no question that Israel's near hermetic closure of the Gaza Strip is illegal; this has been affirmed again and again by numerous international human rights bodies including the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross.  When prompted by the flotilla effort, international consensus has been unequivocal in the demand for the Israeli siege to end. 

There is no question that Israel's closure policy has had a devastating effect on the occupied people of Gaza. This has also been well documented. The only question is why does the international community of states allow Israel to keep violating the law and rights of the Palestinian people with impunity? 

Recent steps taken by Israel to address the concerns raised in the public eye by the Freedom Flotilla II - Stay Human initiative, including last week's announcement of authorization for construction materials for 1,200 homes and 18 schools in Gaza, prove that flotillas work. However, this is not enough, as our effort is not simply about increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza. It is about freedom for Palestinians in Gaza and the rest of the occupied Palestinian territories. 

Calls by some world leaders for flotilla organizers to use "established channels" to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza show a fundamental disregard for Palestinian human rights. The Palestinian people do not want handouts from the international community; rather they demand liberation - a call we must all support. 

Therefore, despite intimidation, pressure, and threats of violence from the Israeli government, which is not ashamed to boast that it will use snipers and attack dogs against unarmed civilians, we will sail. 

We call on our governments to do their utmost to protect their citizens as we take to the sea, without weapons, protection or threat of force, in defense of freedom, human rights, and the rule of law. 


What You Can Do: 

Call upon the Greek government not to become complicit in Israel's illegal actions by succumbing to this pressure, and to join France in standing unopposed to the flotilla.


  • Call:
  • Huwaida Arraf, Athens +30-694-781-5798
    Greta Berlin, Athens +33 607 374 512 
  • Email: Greek Embassy in DC, asking them not to cave in to any Israeli or US pressure not to let the US Boat sail. at  ambassador@greekembassy.org   









Gaza, we are coming.  

 

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Pakistan: A New Perspective 3D




Click the links in bold below for a 3D experience of Pakistan



“Let us trust each other,” roared the Governor-general designate and added; “Let us judge by results, not by theories. With the help of every section –I see that every class is represented in this huge gathering –let us work in double shift if necessary to make the Sovereign State of Pakistan really happy, 
really united and really powerful.” 

Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Speech at a Dinner Party given by the late Mr. Ghulam Hussain Hidayatullah at the Karachi Club on 9th August, 1947.



In a span of over two years, based on interviews, heated and tolerant discussions, my own research, speaking and writing about and with Pakistan; I have come to know a nation through the eyes and voices of Pakistanis. I revert to the vision Jinnah had of Pakistan. I understand politically and historically why his idealism never flourished; yet I find insurmountable beauty through landscapes, culture, architecture, history, artists, activists and people of Pakistan.


The world is ablaze. People are born while simultaneously dying. Nations are revolting. I have witnessed and experienced in many nations, grave religious and cultural intolerance, lack of education [although educated on a collegiate level], mass media propaganda, ignorance and apathy.  In a world of negative, how many focus on the positive?


Pakistan equals the combined land areas of France and the UK. It is the 36th largest nation by area with a coastline along the Arabian Sea. Land borders include: Afghanistan, China, India and Iran. Pakistan means Land of [the] Pure in Urdu [national language] and Persian.


Ethnic groups consist mainly of: Punjabis, Pashtuns,Sindhis, Muhajirs, and Balochs. Pakistan is home to refugees from Afghanistan, India, Iran and Africa, as well as cultures that reside in Pakistan from other nations causing Pakistan to be a country abundant in diverse faith, language, music, art and literature.



Experience a 3D positive perspective of Pakistan.





Pakistan is the 2nd most populous Muslim majority nation, consisting mainly of Sunni and Shi’a sects of faith, as well as: Sufism, Hinduism, Christianity, Ahmadi, Sikhism, Parsi, and Buddhism. Pakistan is multilingual with more than 60 languages spoken, most prevalent are: Urdu, Pashto, Punjabi, Sindhi, Balochi, and English.





Pakistan claims some of the tallest mountain peaks in the world. This nation is home to Mughal architecture and archaeological remains in The Indus Valley to the empire of Alexander the Great. Landscapes in Pakistan allow for variety of trees and plants to flourish. The animal life in Pakistan reflects the varied climates of the land.





Jinnah’s vision for Pakistan is not utilized as a building block nor guiding
force by the current government of Pakistan, its leaders nor its foreign affiliates.  Jinnah’s idealism is alive in the passion of the youth of Pakistan. I have witnessed youth [ranging from ages 16-28] over extending themselves during emergent and dangerous situations [all current, unsolved and ongoing] such as:



  • Amina Masood Janjua and Missing Persons
  • Solidarity with Kashmir
  • Palestinian Solidarity
  • The IDF Mavi Marmara Attack
  • The Trial of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui
  • U.S. Drone Attacks
  • The Margalla Crash
  • 2010 Pakistan Floods
  • Death of Minister for Minorities, Shahbaz Bhatti [regarding blasphemy law]
  • Unrelenting bombing within Pakistan [specifically Karachi and Peshawar]
  • Solidarity with the Arab Uprising
  • Justice for The Sialkot Brothers
  • PNS Mehran
  • Emergency Education
  • Solidarity with Physicians
  • Death of Osama Bin Laden
  • Death of investigative journalist Saleem Shahzad [one of many]
  • Death of Sarfaraz Shah in Karachi



Tragedy has become an “expected” part of existence in Pakistan.






My view of the people of Pakistan is one of immense strength, perseverance and tolerance for occurrences that should never be tolerated. My experience is a direct result of speaking to journalists, political activists, social media, youth organizations, and adults who are there to guide youth. As a journalist and a human being, it is incomprehensible to fathom existing in a nation where the wrong rights are utilized and the right rights are ignored.


Pakistan, A New Perspective, cannot be realized without ideological tolerance, proper education, control of foreign powers, and consensual rights and equality for all people. I have immense respect for people who do speak, protest, work, exist and survive in a land I view as culturally diverse, rich in history, agriculture, literature, art, journalism. language, faith and courage.





“I have no doubt that with unity, faith and discipline we will not only remain the fifth largest State in the world but will compare with any nation of the world….You must make up your mind now. We must sink individualism and petty jealousies and make up our minds to serve the people with honesty and faithfulness. We are passing through a period of fear, danger and menace. We must have faith, unity and discipline.”

- Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Reply to North Western Railway Officers
welcome address, Karachi, 28 December 1947.






Friday, June 24, 2011

Anuradha Koirala: CNN documentary: Nepal's Stolen Children


WATCH below: Buffalo NY: Maiti Nepal





WATCH: PBS Documentary:
The Day My God Died

CNN-TV documentary: Anuradha and Maiti Nepal:  NEPAL'S STOLEN CHILDREN

Watch the premiere on Sunday, June 26th (times below) Reported by Demi Moore 

Combating child sex trafficking in Nepal: 


Last November, Anuradha won CNN Hero of the Year.  CNN has made a documentary about sex trafficking in Nepal: Maiti Nepal and Anuradha are the beating heart of it.

groupof teens


  • CNN US:
  •  6/26      8pm ET / 5pm PT
  • 6/26      11pm ET / 8pm PT
  • 6/27      2am ET / (6/26) 11pm PT


  • CNNi BERLIN & JOHANNESBURG:
  • 6/26      20:00 Berlin & Johannesburg  
  • 6/26      21:00 Berlin & Johannesburg  
  • 6/27      02:00 Berlin & Johannesburg  


  • CNNi ABU DHABI:
  • 6/26      22:00 Abu Dhabi
  • 6/26      23:00 Abu Dhabi
  • 6/27      04:00 Abu Dhabi  

  • CNNi HONG KONG:
  • 6/26      20:00 Hong Kong
  • 6/27      02:00 Hong Kong
  • 6/27      03:00 Hong Kong
  • 6/27      08:00 Hong Kong 
  • CNNi KATHMANDU:
  • 6/26      17:45 Kathmandu
  • 6/26      23:45 Kathmandu
  • 6/27      00:45 Kathmandu
  • 6/27      05:45 Kathmandu
 
  • CNNi MEXICO CITY: (in English on CNNi)
  • 6/26      1pm Mexico City
  • 6/26      2pm Mexico City
  • 6/26      7pm Mexico City

  • CNNi LONDON:
  • 6/26      19:00 London
  • 6/26      20:00 London
  • 6/27      01:00 London



 Brigitte Cazalis-Collins and Joe Collins
Friends of Maiti Nepal 



Story of Maiti Nepal 


Find us on Facebook


"Please tell the world about my girls." -  Anuradha Koirala

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Buffalo: WAM Summer Jam: (Writers, Artists, Musicians) June 29th

 
Proud to announce on JUNE 29th WAM (Writers, Artists, Musicians) will be celebrating their 2 year anniversary at 464 Art Gallery!

Don't miss this 2 YEAR BIRTHDAY PARTY at WAM Summer Jam!

Featuring performances from past WAM acts, as well as gallery of work from NOMAD artists. There will be a community painting project, photo booth, live outdoor music in the backyard (bring a blanket!) and the release of NOMAD Art & Lit Magazine Issue 5. We can't wait to celebrate with you all!

PERFORMANCES BY:

Andrew Daniels & Tony Trippi
Dan Borodzick
Mel Latimer
Mark & Colin from Coterie of Stern
Megan Callahan
Andrew Delmonte.

Event Name:
 WAM Buffalo (Writers Artists Musicians)

Date:  Wednesday June 29th - 6PM START


NEW LOCATION:
 
        464 Art Gallery
        464 Amherst Street
        Buffalo, NY
   
*Additional details: http://www.wambuffalo.com


*Facebook event: 
https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=223680860983031



  
WAM Buffalo
Writers Artists Musicians Event
http://www.WAMBuffalo.com

Sponsored by:

NOMAD Art & Lit Magazine

http://www.nomadbuffalo.com

Free Henry!
http://www.FreeHenryBand.com


Please check out WAM, a monthly Writers/Artists/Musicians' creative mixer/showcase which encourages conversation and collaboration.  With a focus on live & local, WAM features new performers and artists each month along with Open Mic & live art projects, which guests are invited to participate in.

This event is
free and open to the public.  The last Wednesday of every month, join WAM for drink specials and amazing homegrown talent!



Tuesday, June 21, 2011

The 9th Music is Art 2011 Festival: Press Conference: June 23

 
MiALogo   

Music is Art 2011 Festival

Join us for a special press conference to announce plans for the 2011 Music is Art Festival. 

Public Press Conference 

The 2011 Music is Art Festival marks the 9th year of bringing together over 50 local bands, displaying artists and photographers, dancers, live art demonstrations, DJs and the ever popular Kids Village.


Join us Thursday at the Shakespeare stage in Delaware park as we reveal the festival:

  • date
  • location
  • theme
  • poster art
  •  
Then stay for the 7:30 p.m., free performance of The Merchant of Venice by Shakespeare in Delaware Park.

Where, When:

Shakespeare Stage at Delaware Park
(Rain location: the Marcy Casino)
Buffalo, New York 14222
Thursday, June 23rd
7:00 PM

Music is Art
121 Humboldt Pkwy
Buffalo, New York 14214
716-880-3375


The Organization:


Music is Art is a not for profit (federal 501c3) organization founded in 2004 by The Goo Goo Dolls bassist and Buffalo native Robby Takac. MiA operates through a board of directors, staff, partner organizations, sponsors, and many, many volunteers.


Executive Director

Tod A. Kniazuk





Wednesday, June 15, 2011

International Federation of Journalists Backs Pakistani Journalists



The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) supports the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) in rejecting of the Pakistan Government’s terms for appointing a judicial commission to investigate the abduction and murder in late May of journalist Saleem Shahzad.

 The Government announced on June 14 that it would appoint the Chief Justice of the Federal Sharia Court, Agha Mohammad Rafique, to head the commission.

However, the PFUJ insisted the inquiry must be led by a fully independent Supreme Court justice. 


Appointments to the Supreme Court are made by the President on the recommendation of the court’s Chief Justice, and are permanent appointments. Justices of the Federal Sharia Court are directly appointed by the Government on an ad hoc basis for a limited tenure of three years.

The PFUJ had demanded the Government set up a commission headed by a Supreme Court judge by June 10. The demand was supported by the IFJ and other organisations around the world.

“The inquiry into Shahzad’s murder must be as independent and transparent as possible, and recognised as such by the wider population. It is therefore necessary that the inquiry be headed by a Supreme Court justice,” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.

The PFUJ, an IFJ affiliate, said journalists would proceed with a 24-hour sit-in outside the Federal Parliament from 3pm on June 15, and would boycott national and provincial assemblies for two days. Similar protests will be held at provincial assemblies in Quetta, Peshawar, Lahore and Karachi.

PFUJ president Pervaiz Shaukat told a press conference on June 14 that the Government was not paying heed to the demands of journalists for full investigations to bring killers of journalists to justice and to end the culture of impunity for the murders of media personnel across all provinces of Pakistan. 



PFUJ secretary-general Amin Yousuf said journalists would only accept a judicial commission headed by a Supreme Court judge.

Journalists in Pakistan have voiced outrage since the body of Shahzad was found about 150km southeast of Islamabad on May 31. Shahzad disappeared in Islamabad on May 29, two days after he published on Asia Times Online an investigative report into alleged links between Al-Qaeda and Pakistani naval officials.

At least four more Pakistani journalists have been reported killed in connection to their work during 2011.

-     Asfandyar Khan, of the daily Akhbar-i-Khyber, died in a bomb blast, Peshawar, June 11.

-     NasrullahAfridi, of Pakistan Television (PTV) and the Urdu daily Mashriq, murdered in targeted car-bomb blast, Peshawar, May 10.

-     WaliKhan Babar, of GEO TV, murdered by unknown gunmen, Karachi, January 13.

-     IlyasNazar, of the Baloch-language Darwanth, found dead in Pidarak, Balochistan, January 5, after abduction on December 28.

Following the June 11 twin-blast in Peshawar, trainee reporter Shafiullah Khan, of TheNews, is reported to be in a critical condition in hospital, suffering burns to 70 per cent of his body.

For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +61 2 9333 0919

The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 131 countries

Find the IFJ on Twitter: @ifjasiapacific

Find the IFJ on Facebook here



 International Press Card: Dont Leave Home Without It: Apply Here 


Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Canadian Boat to Gaza: The Tahrir:Together We Will Break the Siege


   


The Tahrir is sailing with Freedom Flotilla II - Stay Human.  30 delegates from across the country are preparing themselves for a difficult but necessary voyage.  

We are also assembling a dedicated group of volunteers across the country who will remain in Canada, supporting the launch of the flotilla, tracking and communicating with the Tahrir once it sets sail, handling media and public actions regionally and nationally. 

We are asking you to continue contributing to the Canadian Boat to Gaza so the Tahrir and its passengers can sail with all the necessary equipment and security devices needed for this difficult trip.



The people of Gaza are waiting for us.  
Witness Gaza

Together We Will Break the Siege!



---Français---




Chers ami-e-s,

Dans quelques semaines, et ce grâce à vous, le Tahrir va naviguer avec la Flottille de la liberté II – Rester humains. Une trentaine de délégué-e-s du Québec et du Canada se préparent actuellement pour un voyage difficile mais nécessaire. Nous continuons à travailler avec nos partenaires internationaux à l’organisation finale de tous les aspects du projet. Nous avons aussi mis sur pied une équipe de bénévoles qui resteront ici pour appuyer la flottille, notamment en maintenant la communication avec le Tahrir durant son voyage, en assurant les liens avec les médias et en coordonnant les actions publiques qui s’organiseront un peu partout au pays.

Vous avez peut-être entendu parler d’une poursuite légale pour empêcher le bateau de partir. Sachez que celle-ci ne nous arrêtera pas et que nous continuons à nous préparer afin d’atteindre notre objectif, Gaza, d’ici la fin juin.

Jusqu’à maintenant, nous avons recueilli environ 340 000$ en dons provenant de gens comme vous. Contrairement à des affirmations diffusées par certains medias, nous réaffirmons que tout cet argent a été donné par des citoyens et des citoyennes, des organisations communautaires et syndicales, sans appui gouvernemental ni exemption fiscale. Il s’agit donc d’une initiative citoyenne authentique à laquelle toutes ces personnes croient fermement.

En plus du bateau lui-même, qui absorbe la majeure partie des coûts, il y a plusieurs autres dépenses incontournables pour un projet d’une telle importance et d’une telle difficulté. Il nous faut notamment de l’équipement de communication qui doit être plus sophistiqué que prévu afin de répondre aux besoins des médias qui seront à bord et éviter les possibles interférences israéliennes. Nous devons aussi assumer des coûts pour le combustible, les réparations, l’équipement de sécurité, etc. Rappelons aussi que nous avons dû prendre un bateau plus gros que prévu afin de permettre à plus de personnes de participer à l’opération et d’envoyer plus d’aide humanitaire à Gaza.

Pour toutes ces raisons, nous avons besoin de 50 000$ supplémentaires pour assumer tous les coûts du projet. Nous vous prions donc de contribuer à nouveau au Bateau pour Gaza afin que le Tahrir et ses passagers puissent naviguer en toute sécurité et avec tout l’équipement nécessaire à un tel voyage.

Nous comptons sur votre appui dans cet ultime effort. La population de Gaza nous attend. Si vous n’avez pas encore contribué, nous vous prions de le faire maintenant. Si vous pouvez faire une contribution supplémentaire, n’hésitez pas. Et bien sûr, demandez à vos amis, votre famille et à vos collègues de contribuer. Les dons peuvent être effectués par le biais notre site Internet à www.tahrir.ca.

Ensemble, nous allons y arriver!
L’équipe du Bateau canadien pour Gaza


Saturday, June 11, 2011

The Oslo Freedom Forum: Dawn of a New Arab World



 


The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) today releases the first set of videos from the 2011 Oslo Freedom Forum.  Engaging and provocative presentations and panel discussions are now available via YouTube.   HRF invites viewers to share these videos with friends, create discussions in the comment sections, and embed them wherever possible.  



  Justin Hardy - Healing Kashmir


The first set of set of videos includes nine discussions from this year’s conference:



 Jody Williams - The Power of One
 
 
The full program will be released over the next two weeks, including talks and conversations from Mona Eltahawy, Shirin Ebadi, Alejandro Toledo, Zoya Phan, Leymah Gbowee, Barbara Demick, James Fallon and Belisario Betancur. Updates and announcements will also be shared on Twitter and Facebook.



 Maryam al-Khawaja - Dawn of a New Arab World


Talks from the 2009 and 2010 conferences are live at www.OsloFreedomForum.comincluding speeches from Elie Wiesel, Yoani Sánchez, Benjamin Skinner, Kasha Jacqueline, and Julian Assange.


 Thomas Glave - Ending Anti-Gay Violence in Jamaica


Founded to address today’s most challenging humanitarian issues, the Oslo Freedom Forum brings some of the world’s most remarkable individuals together from academia, advocacy, business, media, politics, social entrepreneurship, and technology to collaborate on how best to make an impact on the world around them.   


 Mona Eltahawy - Evolution of Censorship


About The Oslo Freedom Forum 


The Oslo Freedom Forum was founded in 2009, by HRF to bring humanitarian issues to the top of the global agenda.  The three-day annual forum highlights the stories of human rights advocates from around the world through engaging presentations in order to raise awareness, bring focus to closed societies, prompt inspired discussion, and empower an international community to affect change. 


 Wael Ghonim presents live from Cairo via satellite



 John Peder Egenæs of Amnesty International Norway




Global media liaison:
Martha Pulido
Office: +1 212 377 358
Mobile: +1 646 441 1468
Martha.Pulido@evins.com



Occupation and Resistance! Anthology



We are seeking submissions (writings, artworks and photographs) by artists and writers who live under Occupied Rule in Occupied Lands (such as Palestine, Kashmir, Tibet, Afghanistan, Iraq, etc)



What is the PROJECT?


Occupation And Resistance (working title) is an ANTHOLOGY of writings (non-fiction and fiction), artworks, and photos, by artists living in occupied lands, intended for electronic publication by Artists Against Apartheid.


WHY?

To promote the art and culture of artists, writers, photographers in Occupied Lands, that are otherwise ignored and shunned by the Western mainstream media. We will promote the AAA anthology across the global media landscape and bring increased exposure for artists, writers and civilians living under both foreign and domestic military occupation.


REQUIREMENTS FOR SUBMISSIONS:


Artist or writer or photographer MUST live in Occupied Lands (such as Palestine, Kashmir, Chechnya, Iraq, Afghanistan, Tibet, etc), not as a transient resident.

Written pieces may be fiction or non-fiction as the medium of publication will be a printable PDF, written and visual artworks of all kinds are welcomed. All written pieces must be submitted in English only. (please contact us if you need help finding a translator, we can try.)


HOW CAN I SUBMIT?

We will accept creative submissions via: anthology@artistsagainstapartheid.org. If you are sending large files (over 10MB), please use a service like www.filesanywhere.com or www.sendspace.com to upload your files and send a link. We will acknowledge receipt of all submissions, so please follow up if you have not received a response within one week.


The deadline for submission is August 1st 2011.

Click here to sign up for NEWSLETTER


ARTISTS AGAINST APARTHEID





Thursday, June 9, 2011

Gaza Freedom Flotilla II: Stay Human: Artists NEEDED From Africa, Asia, Latin America






Artists are sought from Africa, Asia and Latin America to join the 2nd Flotilla to Gaza.
Over 300,000 people have applied for the 500 available slots on the upcoming Gaza Freedom Flotilla II.  We want as diverse a group as possible, and are still taking applications from Africa, Asia, and Latin America.   
If you want to join others in this act of global nonviolent civil disobedience, email info@culturesofresistance.org and make the case for why you should be selected to come aboard.
FREEDOM FLOTILLA 2 departs from Istanbul Turkey between June 25-27.




Artists Against Apartheid is an international alliance committed to Equal Rights and Justice, and the elimination of apartheid in our world. 

Artists interested in joining the alliance please click here.