CALENDAR OF EVENTS

WEEK OF AUGUST 12th, 2024

CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TODAY!!!!

The California State Legislature is likely to vote as early as THIS WEEK on a dangerous bill that would put genocide education for grades 7-12 in the hands of an anti-Palestinian group that denies the genocide being carried out by Israel in Gaza. 

Genocide education is critically important — but it must remain unbiased and inclusive. Will you take a minute now to contact your California legislators and tell them to vote no on SB 1277?

This bill would empower the California Teachers Collective — a private body that is dominated by pro-apartheid groups including the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) — to have an outsized role in determining how genocide is taught in our schools, and what is defined as genocide in school curriculum.

California schools deserve genocide education that is unbiased and inclusive, especially at a time when the U.S. is funding and arming the Israeli government’s slaughter and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Gaza and the Occupied West Bank. 

CLICK HERE TO CONTACT YOUR CALIFORNIA LEGISLATORS NOW and tell them to oppose SB 1277

This bill would further silence Palestinian voices and narratives in our schools’ curriculum. As Jews of conscience and other allies, we must raise our voices against state funding for groups that deny an ongoing genocide while claiming to represent us. 

SUNDAY, AUGUST 11th, 2024

Mt. Diablo Peace & Justice Center hosted

REV. DR. MUNTHER ISSAC, Palestinian pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem, currently touring the U.S.

He addressed the impact of the silence of many U.S. churches in the face of mass civilian casualties and the destruction of the Palestinian homeland.

Pastor Isaac is a renowned international speaker and author who gained global attention in December 2023 for his sermon, “Christ In the Rubble” which was heard by tens of millions of people. He is also the academic dean of Bethlehem Bible College, and is the director of the highly acclaimed and influential Christ at the Checkpoint conferences. 

HERE IS A LINK TO THE VIDEOTAPED MESSAGE

“Let it be clear: Silence is complicity, and empty calls for peace without a ceasefire

and end to occupation, and the shallow words of empathy without direct action

— are all under the banner of complicity...this genocide must stop now."

Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac

FRIDAY, AUGUST 16th at NOON - REPEATS ON FRIDAYS

WEEKLY PALESTINE SOLIDARITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Weekly updates on what is happening in Palestine, calls to action, and solidarity work for organizations, activists, and supporters, particularly in the Bay Area.

Co-sponsored by Arab Resource & Organizing Center, Bay Resistance, Center for Political Education and Anti-Police-Terror Project

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR ZOOM MEETING

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8th, 11 AM - 2 PM

MORAGA COMMONS PARK

1425 ST. MARY'S ROAD, MORAGA

FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT!

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 - SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22nd

THREE DAY INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE - ONLINE ORGANIZED BY WORLD BEYOND WAR

Ending all wars means closing all military bases. The United States of America, unlike any other nation, maintains a massive network of foreign military bases around the world, over 900 bases in more than 90 countries and territories.

These bases are costly in a number of ways: financially, politically, socially, and environmentally. U.S. bases in foreign lands often raise geopolitical tensions, support undemocratic regimes, and serve as a recruiting tool for militant groups opposed to the U.S. presence and the governments its presence bolsters. In other cases, foreign bases are being used and have made it easier for the United States to launch and execute disastrous wars, including those in Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, Somalia, and Libya. Across the political spectrum and even within the U.S. military there is growing recognition that many overseas bases should have been closed decades ago, but bureaucratic inertia and misguided political interests have kept them open.

Join us virtually – or in-person in Australia, Germany, Colombia, and the U.S. – for the 3-day #NoWar2024 Conference to learn about the impact of the USA’s military base empire and how to resist it. The conference will travel virtually across the globe, visiting sites near U.S. military bases, from Australia, to Germany, to Colombia, with the concluding event in Washington, DC, the heart of the U.S. military base empire.

MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTER HERE

Informative readings/videos/podcasts:

BOYCOTT, DIVESTMENT and SANCTIONS SEARCH ENGINE

Support Palestine. Boycott Israel Stand with the Palestinians in their struggle for freedom, justice, and equality. Whilst our governments financially support the apartheid state, we don't have to.

BOYCOTT ISRAEL.ORG

LINKS FROM LAST WEEK:

CRAIG MURRAY: The Israeli Nihilist State

BERNIE: The Podcast / Episode 9: BILL MCKIBBEN

The West Bank: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

ADDITIONAL ONLINE SOURCES FOR ACTIONS and INFORMATION ON PALESTINE/GAZA

World BEYOND War has

a DIVESTMENT campaign!

About the Campaign

Grassroots-led war divestment campaigns are springing up all over the world, from students organizing to divest university endowments, to municipalities and states coming together to divest public pension funds. Divestment means organizing to remove public and private assets from weapons manufacturers, military contractors, and war profiteers.

Public pension and retirement funds especially are often invested, directly and indirectly, in weapons companies. Teachers and other public servants whose interests lie with promoting human needs have their retirement security tied up with maintaining or enlarging the war industry. Every dollar currently invested in weapons and war is a dollar that could be better spent on job creation, education, housing, healthcare, food security, and so much more.

War profiteering is largely normalized today. We’re working to stigmatize the war machine. World BEYOND War assists divestment campaigns led by our chapters, affiliates, other coalitions, and individuals around the world.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN HERE

NOW WHAT????

The Frontlines event on May 4th was very powerful and emotional.

FRONTLINE EVENT WAS REPORTED ON LOCAL NEWS!

We heard from several attendees that they felt compelled to act in a meaningful way. Sometimes it feels a bit overwhelming... where do we start?

In terms of direct aid going to Gaza specifically, we recommend Baitulmaal, who have been able to get aid in.

The other organization we recommend is HEAL Palestine which is focused on rebuilding and rehabilitating Gaza. Its founders are the same founders of PCRF.

There is also Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF) which evacuates children who are in need of medical treatment abroad and Medical Aid for Palestinians which offers medical services to Palestinians in Palestine and Palestinian refugees in neighboring countries.

For a full list of resources, you can access the document we put together: tinyurl.com/FrontlinesResources

One thing we are asked to do, again and again, from the people in Gaza is to raise awareness about their situation. Talk to your nearest and dearest about the ongoing genocide.

Remember, we all have a role to play and collectively, our small actions add up. Don't give up, keep raising awareness, keep boycotting, keep donating, keep advocating, KEEP CALLING YOUR LOCAL REPS!

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. 

- From the Frontlines Organization Team

MORE UPDATES COMING SOON! WATCH THIS SPACE!

This website provides comprehensive information including events & campaigns

CHECK HERE FOR LINKS TO REACH OUT TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVES!

Includes a frequently updated

calendar of local events

Peace work in the Quaker tradition

American Friends Service Committee

BOYCOTT

DIVESTMENT and SANCTIONS!

CHECK OUT THIS HANDY NEW APP!

CARE TO DONATE TO THE PEACE CENTER?

As a small non-profit, we rely heavily on donations to keep our doors open!

Use the QR code below or access the donation link on our website: https://ourpeacecenter.org/donate/

To send checks directly to the Center - use our address at 1035 Carol Lane - Lafayette, CA 94549. 

The Mt. Diablo Peace & Justice Center is a tax-deductible 501 (c)(3) non-profit.