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PEACE CENTER ACTIVIST ALERT
July 13th, 2026
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TUESDAY, JULY 21st, 6 - 8 PM
MT. DIABLO PEACE & JUSTICE CENTER
at CREEKSIDE COMMONS
1035 CAROL LANE, LAFAYETTE
hosts
MORGAN COOPER TOTAH
co-founder of
HANDMADE PALESTINE
and MASHJAR JUTHOUR
An American who has been living in Occupied Palestine for 20 years, Morgan is married to a Palestinian First Christian and they are raising two children in his ancestral town (now city) of Ramallah.
Their creation, Handmade Palestine, is a social enterprise that supports over 30 artisan groups in crafting and storytelling. This fair trade initiative is life sustaining for many across Palestine.
It also raises funds for another project, Mashjar Juthour, which is land Morgan and her husband transformed from degraded terrain into Palestine's first arboretum and sustainable nature preserve—a sanctuary for trees, wildlife, and community.
Morgan will share stories of their work on these projects and life in Palestine. She’ll also bring crafts to share from women practicing traditional tatreez embroidery.
Through cultural heritage and crafting, she will speak about the obstacles women face in generating a basic income and also about her own family's efforts to navigate life under Occupation.
Morgan is an authentic and passionate speaker who provides a unique perspective to the discussion on Palestine Liberation.
IG account: mashjar_juthour /
https://handmadepalestine.com
http://juthour.org
This is a FREE EVENT! Refreshments will be available. Registration is requested CLICK HERE
More info:
www.ourpeacecenter.org / (925) 933-7850 / info@ourpeacecenter.org
CLICK HERE for a shareable flyer
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TUESDAY, JULY 14th, 4 PM
CLUB ROOM AT CREEKSIDE
1010 STANLEY DOLLAR DR.
WALNUT CREEK (Rossmoor)
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SATURDAY, JULY 18th, 6 PM
Oak Grove Gazebo adjacent to bike path behind
LAFAYETTE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
584 GLENSIDE DR., LAFAYETTE
A FRONT PORCH MUSIC EVENT!
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SUNDAY, JULY 19th
FIFTH ANNUAL RIDE FOR PALESTINE
and GATHER FOR PALESTINE
a MECA FUNDRAISER
It's a day of solidarity along the 14-mile scenic San Francisco Bay. The ride is designed to be enjoyable for cyclists of all skill levels and the post-Ride event, GATHER FOR PALESTINE will include delicious Palestinian food, music, dancing, and more.
All funds raised this year will support MECA’s work in Palestine–where the situation is dire and your support is more important than ever. Thanks to the efforts of our community, MECA’s 2025 Ride for Palestine was a huge success, raising more than $450,000 in support of our ongoing work in Palestine.
Help us reach our 2026 Ride for Palestine goal of $500,000 by registering today.
With your support, we can deliver food and other necessities and send a powerful message of solidarity to Palestine.
Ride for Palestinian Children. Ride for Solidarity. Ride for Return.
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SUNDAY, JULY 19th, 12 NOON
VOICES FROM THE HOLY LAND
ONLINE WORKSHOP
How do we cause change?
Across the country, ordinary citizens are building increasing support for human rights, the BDS movement, and an end to American complicity in the crimes against Palestinians.
Many have had impact despite biased media, corrupt politicians, government attempts to curtail free speech, and public ignorance.
Join us to hear how three citizen activist groups have caused change in their communities on a governmental, corporate, and public level.
This workshop will offer practical strategies, tools, and skills for effective human‑rights advocacy at the federal, state, and local levels including on how to:
1) develop a strategy for affecting change in your area,
2) build and manage a team to meet your objectives,
3) build popular support for your campaign, and
4) get the attention of governments, corporations and others and motivate them to support your campaign.
Watch the curated videos included in the registration confirmation email at your convenience ahead of the discussion.
Join the workshop with:
- Ben Case: Organizer, author, co-founder of Project for Responsive Democracy;
- Matt Banks: Poet, organizer, Chair, Chevron Out of French Quarter Fest campaign;
- Our moderator will be Alex McDonald: Author, activist, and educational material developer; and,
- Zeina Ashrawi Hutchison: Executive Board Member, Virginia Coalition for Human Rights.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE TRAILER:
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TUESDAY, JULY 21st
10:00 - 11:00 AM
FEDERAL IMMIGRATION COURT
1855 GATEWAY BLVD. CONCORD
Support Immigrant Neighbors - Vigils at the Concord Immigration Court
Over a quarter of Contra Costa residents are immigrants who come from all over the world. A large new Immigration Court, which handles deportations, recently opened in Concord, nearly doubling the deportation capacity of the Bay Area. Local organizations are working together to support our immigrant neighbors as they go through the process.
A LWVDV vigil supporting immigrants appearing for their court hearings at the Concord Immigration Court will usually be held on the third Tuesday of each month.
This is not a protest, it is a vigil in support of those entering the court for their hearings. We will provide the signs to use for this vigil.
Parking: DO NOT PARK in the Court's parking garage even if it's the 5th floor or above. We've been informed by the security guards that cars of "protesters" will be towed. Apparently, the 5th floor or above is for court "attendees" only. Best to park at Park and Shop on Willow Pass Road which is across the street from the Immigrant Court Building.
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THURSDAY, JULY 23rd, 8:30 rally, 9:00 public comment
WESTIN SAN FRANCISCO AIRPORT
1 OLD BAYSHORE HIGHWAY, MILLBRAE
CalSTRS DEMANDS DIVESTMENT!
Join teacher-organizers from across California to protest CalSTRS at their special off-site meeting.
We have been working to build pressure on the board and investment staff for nearly 2 years to get CalSTRS to divest from war, weapons, apartheid and the genocide of Palestinians. The teachers' state retirement system holds over $2.8 billion in equities that include hundreds of millions in Palantir and Lockheed Martin stocks, and tens of millions in Israel bonds.
Our demand for divestment from war and genocide has been endorsed by over a dozen teachers' unions, thousands of teachers, and dozens of organizations building towards a free Palestine and a liberated future.
We'll be rallying before the board meeting, giving public comment, and connecting with teachers from across the state. We need the masses to show that this demand is not only popular, but that it is both urgent and necessary for CalSTRS to take action.
RSVP- HTTPS://tinyurl.com/rally7-23
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Are you seeking out
independent media?
Mt. Diablo Peace and Justice Center is collecting a variety of media including readings, documentaries, and podcasts on the topics of the day, to be read and shared.
Our goal is to educate, encourage discussion, and inspire activism.
NEW THIS WEEK:
NIMA ALKHORSHID (DIALOGUE WORKS) interviews Stanislav Krapivnik: BREAKING: U.S. Strikes Iran as Tehran Targets ATACMS| Lindsey Graham Dead at 71
Krapivnick, ex-US army officer and military analyst, discusses recent developments in Iran War/ Lindsay Graham’s death, at times with humor.
KATIE HALPER SHOW: John Mearsheimer and economist Yanis Varoufakis discuss the U.S. and Israel's conflict with Iran.
The guests argued that the U.S. and Israel suffered a "stunning defeat" and that Israeli leadership attempted to trap the United States into a broader war. [1, 2, 3]
They further analyzed how the U.S. can lose ongoing conflicts while retaining global power and examined the failures of neoliberal economics in the context of these geopolitical struggles.
FROM LAST WEEK:
GLENN GREENWALD: New Democratic Socialist Is the FIRST DEM to Oppose Funding Ukraine's War
NIMA ALKHORSHID interviewer: Larry Johnson: Iran Rejects Hormuz Deal, US Surges Forces, Israel Expands Targets
NIMA ALKHORSHID Interviewer: Prof. Ted Postol: "It's Over": Israel Faces Total Collapse if War Escalates
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PLEASE READ/WATCH and SHARE!
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ARE YOU TAKING ACTION THIS WEEK?
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VOTE NO ON VOTER RESTRICTIONS!
Sign the petition: BLOCK the SAVE America Act
The U.S. House passed the SAVE America Act, an extreme “show your papers” voter suppression bill fueled by far-right propaganda and anti-immigrant conspiracy theories.1
Trump is trying to force through national voter ID at the polls. He’s demanding proof of citizenship to register to vote. The SAVE America Act will stop millions from casting ballots in the midterms.2 Our Senators must oppose Trump’s attempt to shred our constitutional right to vote.
Sign the petition: Block the SAVE America Act
Under Trump’s restrictive bill, people can’t register to vote or update their registrations without a passport or original birth certificate — documents that 21 million people don’t have ready access to. Tens of millions of women who’ve changed their last names after marriage and may not have a passport or birth certificate with their current last name would face additional burdens. And every single voter would need to show a government-issued photo ID with an up-to-date address and current name before casting a ballot.3
The SAVE America Act is yet another Trump attempt to interfere in our free and fair elections. There is no mass “noncitizen” voting that justifies any of this. The 2020 election was not stolen. But Trump, Stephen Miller, and Pam Bondi are counting on enough Republicans and MAGA loyalists to get behind these myths so they can rig the midterms. Steve Bannon even wants to send ICE to “surround the polls” come November.4
The Senate must reject the worst voter suppression bill in modern history.
Reject the SAVE America Act now!
Sources:
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The Associated Press, "House GOP pushes strict proof-of-citizenship requirement for voters ahead of midterm elections," February 11, 2026.
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Democracy Docket, "New version of GOP suppression bill would impose nationwide proof of citizenship, photo ID requirements," February 7, 2026.
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ACLU Press Release, "ACLU Condemns House Passage of SAVE America Act as Dangerous Assault on Democracy," February 11, 2026.
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Democracy Docket, "White House ‘can’t guarantee’ ICE won’t be at polls," February 5, 2026.
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| | ONGOING WEEKLY LOCAL PROTESTS | | |
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TUESDAY EVENINGS
Intersection of Mt. Diablo Blvd. and Moraga Road
LAFAYETTE
5:00 - 6:00 PM
A PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATION FOR COMMUNITY BUILDING - THE WORK CONTINUES!
ADDING A WEEKLY FOOD DRIVE TO THE MIX!
Meet Local Activists, Bring your own signs or make one when you arrive.
AND A MESSAGE FROM THE ORGANIZERS OF THIS WEEKLY EVENT:
We are concerned with safety and have a monitor at each corner wearing an orange vest. They will help keep the crosswalks and sidewalks clear for pedestrians. If you have any questions or concerns, please let one of them or Gordon Lake, our main event organizer, know.
Our mission statement and some norms for our group: .
Mission:
We are meeting to collectively defend democracy and support and protect the institutions which are vital to the wellbeing of all of us, and which are now under attack. Our goals are to meet every week to express our values and ideas, to promote solidarity and mutual support within our protest community, and to encourage other like-minded citizens to join us.
Norms:
We are non-violent in word and deed. We will follow all laws and act in ways that ensure personal safety. We will not block crosswalks or walkways.
We will not respond to those in cars or on the street who express different views. We will contact monitors in orange vests if we have questions or concerns.
LAMORINDA PEACE & JUSTICE GROUP
NEED INFORMATION ON FOOD DONATIONS?
Food collected at this protest will go to the
NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR FOOD PANTRY
CLICK HERE FOR SUGGESTIONS
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WE THE PEOPLE PROTESTS
taking place on various days
WALNUT CREEK, LAFAYETTE,
MARTINEZ and OAKLAND!
CHECK THE SCHEDULE HERE
Organized by Indivisible ReSisters Contra Costa!
Join us for a rousing honk and wave visibility action.
Bring your signs and raise your voice for democracy and to protect our rights!
This is a nonviolent event. Stay within your rights, don’t break laws, stay safe, stay peaceful, and avoid any risk you don’t feel comfortable with. Don’t obstruct traffic, impede pedestrians, or commit any acts of property damage.
If counter-protestors appear, do your best to ignore them. When people shout from cars, just remember that we are standing for their rights, too. They just don't know it.
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| | ADDITIONAL ONLINE SOURCES FOR ACTIONS and INFORMATION ON PALESTINE/GAZA and other MILITARY ACTIONS WORLDWIDE | | |
ACTIONS TO TAKE!
Continue contacting Congress to
demand they pass these resolutions:
Block the Bombs – Support H.R. 3565
Call on your member of Congress to support the
Block the Bombs Act (H.R. 3565), introduced by
Rep. Delia Ramirez, to stop U.S. weapons transfers to Israel.
https://actionnetwork.org/letters/block-the-bombs-act
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RECENTLY RELEASED!
2026 edition of Mapping Militarism
24 interactive maps to highlight
the state of war and peace on our planet.
Each map allows the viewer to spin the globe,
zoom in and out, scroll the timeline back through the years,
or switch from map view to list view.
TRY IT HERE!
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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
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This website provides comprehensive information including events & campaigns
CHECK HERE FOR LINKS TO REACH OUT TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVES!
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Includes a frequently updated
calendar of local events
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Peace work in the Quaker tradition
American Friends Service Committee
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BOYCOTT
DIVESTMENT and SANCTIONS!
CHECK OUT THIS HANDY APP!
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Peace is Possible!
Mt. Diablo Peace and Justice Center
at Creekside Commons
1035 Carol Lane
Lafayette, CA 94549
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