SUNDAY, JULY 17: SAVE THE DATE FOR THE NEXT ISM-CHICAGO MEETING


The next monthly potluck dinner meeting of the Chicago chapter of the International Solidarity Movement will be held on Sunday, July 17 at the ISM-Chicago apartment. If you've attended previous meetings in the past year, we are at the same location. If you'd like to attend but have never been to the ISM-Chicago apartment---please e-mail us a request for the address and a personal introduction. We will either meet inside the apartment or if weather permits in our outdoor patio area. We will begin at 5PM and ask that everyone arrive as promptly as possible.


If you've never attended one of our informal monthly potluck meetings before here is some useful information:
*please bring either food or beverages to share (remember that some people attending may have religious or cultural issues with certain food)
*there is a cat in the ISM apartment so we want anyone with allergies to be aware of the fact and if there is a problem the meeting can be conducted in the outside patio
*our meetings always conclude at between 7-7:15 PM



International Solidarity Movement, Chicago chapter
Calls for Human Rights Activists

ISM-Chicago (www.palsolidarity.org/ ) is proud to be supporting the Freedom Summer 2005 Campaign! We are calling for Chicago and midwestern based activists to join in the movement for Palestinian freedom!

Committed, passionate activists of all ages are welcome. ISM-Chicago will work with you to provide pre-training, media, legal, technical support during your trip as well as community outreach opportunities when you return.

If you have ever considered traveling to Palestine to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people, now is the time!

For more information on ISM-Chicago, contact us at ISMinChicago (at) aol.com or call 773-489-3505

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Freedom Summer Palestine 2005
(June 25 - August 21, 2005)


Freedom Summer Palestine 2005 is a Palestinian nonviolent campaign against Israeli occupation. This summer, with the participation of international supporters, Palestinians will continue their long-standing mobilization for nonviolent direct action against the Israeli occupation and draw the world's attention to what is really happening in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.


While the world is hearing that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is being resolved and that Sharon has become "a herald of peace," apartheid continues to be reinforced each day in Occupied Palestine. It is more important than ever to come to Palestine this summer to join Palestinian nonviolent resistance to the Israeli military occupation!


Palestinian communities are asking ISM activists to support their nonviolent demonstrations against the continued construction of the illegal Annexation Wall, the demolitions of Palestinian homes, and their various efforts to remain steadfast on the soil of their ancestors. All this despite the continuing land theft and the constant violence perpetuated by the Israeli military and illegal settlers.


Freedom Summer, beginning June 25th and continuing 57 days, one day for every year of displacement and dispossession since 1948, is a mobilization of the Palestinian people for justice, basic human rights and freedom.


Like the Civil Rights Movement in the United States, India's National Liberation Movement and the Anti-Apartheid Movement in South Africa, Palestinian communities utilise nonviolent strategies to counter oppression.


This is not an issue of "Palestinian against Israeli" or "Arab against Jew." It is a struggle of humanity and freedom against injustice and oppression.


How It Works


Two-day training sessions will be conducted by ISM trainers every Sunday and Monday of Freedom Summer in Ramallah. The first training of the campaign will be June 24 and 25. On completion of training, groups of internationals will be dispatched to various regions to join local nonviolent resistance activities. Click here for more specifics on training and logistics.


Freedom Summer actions will be directed at Israeli occupation measures that deny Palestinians basic freedom: The Annexation Wall, checkpoints, roadblocks, settlement expansion, and political prisoners.


Plans for Freedom Summer 2005 are being developed by Palestinian communities. Examples of likely actions include:
* Supporting Palestinian communities in their peaceful protesting of construction of The Annexation Wall in West Bank villages where Wall construction threatens to cut off villagers from their farmland and livelihood,
* Supporting action by communities removing roadblocks that are strangling West Bank villages, Maintaining a presence in communities in the Hebron region that are under constant threat from Israeli settlers who are attempting to force
Palestinians from their land,
* Working in support of Palestinian rights in East Jerusalem and to resist the Israeli government's attempt to isolate East Jerusalem, the Palestinian capital, from the West Bank and Gaza Strip,
* Joining Palestinian families and communities in resisting nonviolently and highlighting the demolition of Palestinian homes,
* Joining Palestinian communities in nonviolent protest against the industrial settlement complexes that are stealing and contaminating Palestinian land, Acting in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners, thousands of whom are being held in Israeli prisons in violation of international law for struggling for Palestinian rights,
* Reporting to the media and the world on the daily criminal actions of the Israeli military and Israeli settlers in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.


Bring the world's eyes to Palestine! Teams of international civilians will be hosted by Palestinians communities and will work directly with Palestinian coordinators and local peace activists.


At the local level, Palestinians are organizing, training and coordinating a summer program of activities and actions to involve all elements of Palestinian society and international supporters.


Obviously not everyone is comfortable taking the same risks or participating in direct confrontations with soldiers, police and
settlers. Therefore, local committees will determine various roles and levels of participation for all, so that there is something to do for everyone.


Activists are required to make a commitment to nonviolence principles, adherence to the group process and respect for Palestinian culture and Palestinian community leadership for the duration of their stay in Palestine.


For more information:
ISM-Chicago (at) aol.com
info (at) palsolidarity.org (ISM Palestine)

www.palsolidarity.org/ (ISM central website)
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Donations needed desperately by ISM-Palestine!

If you cannot travel to Palestine as a volunteer, please consider sending as generous a donation as possible to support our Freedom Summer 2005 campaign! All funds collected will go directly to our office in Palestine. Please send your check or money order to:
ISM-Chicago, P.O. Box 220685, Chicago, IL 60622