BootCAT News Blog

Protest for Rachel Corrie at Milton-CAT, Milford, MA :: Saturday 10:30 AM, March 17, 2007

2007-03-05T01:20:00.000-05:00

On March 16, 2003, Rachel Corrie, an American peace activist, was killed by a Caterpillar bulldozer while protecting a Palestinian house from demolition.

On Saturday, March 17, 2007, Boston-area activists will travel to the headquarters of the largest CAT dealership in the Northeast, Milton-CAT in Milford, Massachusetts. They will hold a peaceful protest outside its gates, demanding that the Caterpillar Corporation live up to its Worldwide Code of Business Conduct and stop selling Israel bulldozers that it uses to destroy homes and lives. Similar protests will take place across the US and internationally to mark the fourth anniversary of Rachel Corrie’s death.

Download PDF Flyer

Join us for the protest at Milton-CAT (10:30 am onwards).

DIRECTIONS from BOSTON to Milton-CAT at 100 Quarry Drive, MILFORD, MA 01757
Take I-90 WEST out of Boston - go 27.5 mi Take exit #11A towards CAPE COD onto I-495 SOUTH - go 7.9 mi Take exit #20 towards MILFORD At the bottom of the offramp, turn Right onto RT-85 Turn Left at first light onto FORTUNE BLVD Turn Right on QUARRY DR - go 0.2 mi Continue on QUARRY past the CAT complex and park in the shopping center parking lot just ahead.

Naji Al-Ali's Cartoons: Outdoor Art Exhibit, Harvard Sq, July 1-2, 6-8pm

2006-06-29T16:58:00.000-04:00

Naji Al-Ali: An Icon of Palestinian Diaspora
Outdoor Art Installation, Harvard Square, July 1-2, 6-8:00 PM

You are cordially invited to view an installation of 50 distinguished works by the late Palestinian cartoonist Naji al-Ali.

Naji al-Ali's bold and illustrative cartoons, widely published over the past 20-30 years, reveal the tragic state of the Middle East. The artist combined art and political satire like none other; his work sadly still rings true today.

Naji al-Ali draws in simple mesmerizing lines a sincere critique of all sides in the conflict, and the world's complicity in the prolonged occupation of the Palestinians.

Pieces displayed at the installation were graciously provided by the artists' family, specifically for this exhibition.

Where: Winthrop Park in front of Pete's Coffee in Harvard Sq., Cambridge
When: Saturday July 1 & Sunday July 2 @ 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Rain date: Sunday July 2nd, 6-8pm, First Congregational Church, Sage Room (basement), 11 Garden St., Harvard Sq., Cambridge.

The artwork will be displayed on an elaborate set representing the Apartheid Wall in Palestine. You are invited to enjoy the exhibit, participate in painting the wall, and interact with pedestrians celebrating freedom & liberty on this Independence Day weekend.

The film "Naji Al-Ali: An Artist with Vision" may be shown outdoors at the installation, pending the weather.

Brought to you by Tawassul, a Cambridge-based nonprofit initiative established to promote Palestinian identity through visual arts and performance. http://www.tawassul.org

Brief Biography of the Artist

Naji al-Ali was one of the most prominent cartoonists in the Arab world. Sarcastic, poignant and perhaps too bold, El Ali's cartoons were drawn from his experience as a Palestinian refugee since childhood and clearly reflected his political stance. Naji al-Ali had no political affiliations and the absence of slogans and dogma in his work brought both success and criticism.

His cartoons portrayed the bitter struggle and plight of the Palestinian people against Israeli oppression. He also campaigned against the absence of democracy, widespread corruption, and gross inequality in the Arab world. He was said to have antagonized virtually everyone in the Middle East. During his lifetime, he was said to have drawn around 40,000 drawings, on average two cartoons a day. He worked for various publications in the Arab world. He was imprisoned various times for antagonizing political leaders with his critical cartoons. At the end of his life, he lived in exile in London, having been forced to leave Kuwait.

On Wednesday July 22nd, 1987, a lone gunman shot Naji al-Ali in the head as he left his office in London. After five weeks in a coma, he died at 5 AM on Saturday August 30th at the age of 49.

This exhibition celebrates the life and work of Naji al-Ali, nearly 20 years after his murder.

Flyer for Naji Ali Art Exhibit and Event Map (2-page PDF file)

An Open Letter to Caterpillar, Inc.: Bulldozing Palestine

2006-06-14T23:41:00.000-04:00

By JOSEPH SCHECHLA, CounterPunch, June 14, 2006

James W. Owens
CEO, Caterpillar Inc.
100 NE Adams Street
Peoria IL 61629 USA

Dear Mr. Owens:

We were once gratified to know that Caterpillar's Code of Worldwide Business Conduct recognizes "the social dimension of [corporate] responsibility [for] Caterpillar's impacts on the social systems in which we work and live. That observation is inarguable, and those impacts are variously felt across Caterpillar's worldwide operations. By its Code, Caterpillar has accepted "the responsibilities of global citizenshipî and asserted that: "Wherever we conduct business or invest our resources around the world, we know that our commitment to financial success must also take into account social priorities." This solid principle grounds a position of laudable corporate accountability and sets a standard for other enterprises as well.

Unfortunately, however, these principles continue to degrade beyond recognition, firstly, at the image of Caterpillar equipment on the frontline of Israel's destruction of Palestine and, ultimately, with the collective moral descent of Caterpillar stockholders and directors since April 2004. At that time, in response to a conscientious stockholder initiative, Caterpillar's decision makers squandered an opportunity to live up to their stated principles, and decided not to. Even the preceding murder of Rachel Corrie with the Israeli-army driven Caterpillar bulldozer did not give directors and stockholders pause enough to reconsider their corporate relations.

Caterpillar's failure to reconsider its relationship with the Israeli army is no mere sin of omission. Caterpillar Inc. is consciously abetting practices recognized as war crimes and crimes against humanity. That active decision prevails still, fully two years after the International Court of Justice determined the illegality of those actions of your client and committed partner.

Suspending the corporation's Code of Worldwide Business Conduct, Caterpillar's directors cynically have argued that such matters should be deferred to US foreign policy decision makers. However, by their cross-border business conduct and open dismissal of the consequences, Caterpillar's directors have assumed the mantle of de facto foreign policy decision makers.

Systematic demolition of Palestinian homes by bulldozer since 1947 is perhaps foremost among the destructive Israeli practices throughout Palestine in both physical and socioeconomic terms. This legacy evokes the systematic Israeli depopulation and demolition of 531 indigenous Palestinian villages in the first two years of Israel's proclamation of independence, and an ensuing continuum of practices that today are commonly identified with ethnic cleansing.

The continuous bulldozing of Palestinian homes has flattened 2,243 houses across both Gaza and the West Bank in 2004 alone, leaving some 14,000 Palestinians homeles s. According to the UN, your client's army has destroyed or irreparably damaged over 12,000 homes since 2001 in the Gaza Strip, including some 2,990 shelters, home to 28,500 refugees. In 2005, Israel used bulldozers to destroy at least 114 Palestinian homes in Jerusalem, and 50 in Gaza. Since 25 January 2006, Israel has likewise destroyed at least 48 Palestinian homes on the pretext that they lacked Israeli permits.

Since your last stockholders meeting, your official Israeli business partners have conducted much of their bulldozing destruction in the path of Israel's Separation Wall snaking across the West Bank. Surely you know that the International Court of Justice has advised the international community "not to render aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by such construction. Building the Wall has involved uprooting hundreds of thousands of olive, citrus and other fruit trees, representing the livelihood of the indigenous communities; destroying hundreds of wells and agricultural storehouses; and tearing up roads and blocking thousands of others with concrete and earthen mounds. The Wall continues to displace thousands of people from their homes and deny them their livelihoods. Much of this deprivation is enabled by equipment that Caterpillar consciously provides for the nefarious task. This concern was the subject of the 18 May 2004 letter to you from the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food, which famously went unheeded.

A growing public now understands Caterpillar's association with these international criminal acts. Meanwhile, the Caterpillar website quotes you, Mr. Owen, rema rking that Caterpillar's "reputation for making a difference in the wo rld is something we are proud of as a companyóand as individuals. Whether it's caring for the safety of our fellow employees, improving the communities in which we live and work, or sustaining the environment we all share, Caterpillar people are fully committed to and engaged in good corporate citizenship. We are doing well by 'doing good' all around the world." However the knowing sale of Caterpillar equipment to Israel for purposes of demolition and dispossession of Palestinian communities runs contrary to all claims of "good corporate citizenship.

It would seem essential that a company at once identified with both ethnic cleansing and self-acclaimed social responsibility should take a more-responsible stand in the interest of its own integrity. At its 2006 stockholder meeting on 14 June, Caterpillar still faces an inescapable choice, precisely because its Israeli customers have helped widen the chasm of the corporation's ethical contradictions and invited the global public's perception of them.

With so much bad will accruing to Caterpillar's account, we urge its CEO, directors and shareholders to take the necessary, conscientious steps to restore their plummeting moral stock by formally, visibly and effectively denouncing their clients' illegal and criminal use of Caterpillar products. This minimum step includes genuine cooperation with human rights defenders and monitors, including cooperation with the investigation and prosecution of the murder of Rachel Corrie. At a minimum also, Caterpillar representat ives should find an alternative to their disingenuous deference to for eign policy makers, so notorious for failing to uphold the human rights provisions of the Foreign Assistance Act (1961).

Of course, a morally and legally grounded position by Caterpillar would have meaning only if it also accompanied the cessation of further sales and/or transfer of Caterpillar equipment and spare parts to those who have abused them at a cost to Caterpillar's public reputation, including Israel foremost. That naturally calls for refraining from the sale of Caterpillar equipment and parts to the Israel military and other relevant state bodies. Those include the Jewish National Fund, Jewish Agency and World Zionist Organization and their affiliates, particularly as all act on behalf of the State of Israel and engage in illegal population transfer and colonization practices.

Should Caterpillar's directors and stockholders resolve to take such corrective measures, we would remain ready to provide further information on the related issues, in order to clarify Caterpillar's corporate responsibility and repair its plummeting reputation. We also look forward to your corrective response and to further correspondence with Caterpillar Inc. toward using its resources, capacities and opportunities someday actually to build a better world.

Sincerely,
Joseph Schechla, coordinator
Housing and Land Rights Network
Habitat International Coalition
11 Tiba Street, 2nd Floor
Muhandisin, Giza
Egypt

Activists scold Caterpillar for Middle East sales

2006-06-14T23:33:00.000-04:00

By Bob Tita, June 14, 2006

(Crain’s) — Middle East peace activists stepped up their criticism of Caterpillar Inc.’s sales of bulldozers and other equipment that they say are used by the Israeli military to destroy the homes of Palestinians.

About two dozen people with signs picketed outside the Northern Trust Bank in Chicago where the Peoria-based equipment maker conducted its annual shareholder meeting on Wednesday. Inside the meeting, several shareholders took turns urging Cat CEO and Chairman James Owens to cease equipment sales to the government of Israel.

“You have choices. When we find that our equipment is being used to destroy human rights and somebody’s home you can say, ‘No, we don’t need to do that,’” said Craig Corrie, the father of Rachel Corrie, who was struck and killed by a Cat-built bulldozer in 2003 while attempting to block the demolition of Palestinian homes in Gaza by the Israeli military.

In the aftermath of Ms. Corrie’s death, a coalition of religious groups and Middle East peace organization took its fight to Caterpillar, arguing that the company’s equipment enables Israel to carry out its brutal occupation the Palestinians.

Members of the coalition that own shares of Cat stock, who were more voiciferous and organized than in past years, offered a proposal at the meeting to require the CEO and chairman’s titles be held by separate board members. Supporters said separating the two titles would allow the chairman to focus more on ethical and corporate policy issues, like equipment sales to Israel.

Cat’s board urged shareholders to reject the proposal, which was turned down by 62% of the shareholders voting on it. Mr. Owens repeatedly stressed that he and other board members are aware of the strife and human suffering occurring in the Middle East, but maintained Cat cannot end the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

“It’s a terrible conflict. As parents and grandparents we hate to see the carnage,” he said. “We don’t believe we’re capable of resolving the problem.”

Mr. Owens explained that the federal government purchases Caterpillar construction equipment and then distributes it to Israel, the Palestinians and Egypt as part of a board aid package to those countries that’s been in place for decades. He added that Cat equipment is used widely throughout the Middle East for the civilian construction projects.

The protestors said the company should simply quit participating in aid programs where construction equipment ends up in the hands of the Israeli military.

“Nobody is asking Caterpillar to solve the Middle East conflict,” said Sydney Levy of Jewish Voice for Peace in San Francisco. “Just check what’s happening with your own equipment.”

NY Event - Words & Life of Rachel Corrie, March 22, 2006

2006-03-20T16:54:00.000-05:00

Press Release: International Solidarity Movement, March 20, 2006

What: Rachel's Words - An Event to Honor the Words and Life of Rachel Corrie

When: 8:00 PM Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Where: Riverside Church, 490 Riverside Drive, New York, New York

Hosted by: Amy Goodman and James Zogby

On March 22, New York City will hear the words of Rachel Corrie at the Riverside Church in Manhattan. Rejecting efforts to silence Rachel's voice, a growing list of performers, writers, academics and activists will read selected writings from Rachel Corrie, and honor her through poems and songs. They will discuss the context in which her words were written, and the pervasive climate of fear in which they have been suppressed.

Rachel was a human rights activist and gifted writer. She was crushed to death by an Israeli Army bulldozer as she tried to protect the home of a Palestinian pharmacist from demolition in Rafah, Gaza Strip, on March 16th, 2003. Rachel was 23.

"My Name is Rachel Corrie" is a powerful one-woman show based entirely on the writings of Rachel Corrie. The play was scheduled to open at the New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) on March 22nd. The NYTW postponed the play indefinitely sparking an escalating controversy. James Nicola, the Director of the NYTW, told the New York Times that he needed time to "contextualize the play". The play, edited by Alan Rickman and Katharine Viner from Rachel's diaries and emails, was produced by the Royal Court Theatre in London. Starring Megan Dodds, it played to sold out audiences and wide acclaim.

In an extraordinary grassroots response to this controversy, Rachel's Words was launched by a handful of activists from a NYC apartment. In two weeks the organization has coordinated a worldwide response to ensure that Rachel's words will be heard. On March 16th, the 3rd Anniversary of Rachel's killing, her words were read at events in 13 countries, including ten locations in Palestine and Israel, and over 40 locations in the United States.

Vanessa Redgrave "contextualized" just what the postponement meant in an interview with Democracy Now: "Rachel's voice was silenced by an IDF bulldozer. In the play Rachel makes a speech as a ten year old about world poverty, and her belief that the world could end poverty. The New York Theater Workshop silenced that little girl too, who is speaking for people all over the world."

Participants include: Cindy & Craig Corrie, Anthony Arnove, Huwaida Arraf, Brian Avery, Nirit Ben-Ari, Leila Buck, Kia Corthron, Sherif
Fam, Suheir Hammad, Leonard Hubbard (from The Roots) with A. Marcy Francis (Vocalist), Brian Jones, Liz Magnes, Malachy McCourt, Betty
Shamieh, Jonathan Tasini, Zafer Tawil, Tom Wallace, Ora Wise, and
Maysoon Zayid

Participating by video: Maya Angelou, Patti Smith, Eve Ensler, Mariam
Said, Najla Said

Media Contact: Ann Petter: 212.246.7528, Tom Wallace: 617.461.1041

For updated information visit http://www.RachelsWords.org/

March 16-18th 2006 Rachel Corrie Vigil, Film Showing and CAT Protest

2006-02-25T18:16:00.000-05:00

On March 16th 2003 Rachel Corrie, a peace activist, was killed by a Caterpillar bulldozer while protecting a Palestinian home from demolition. http://www.rachelcorrie.org

Come see the film "The Killing Zone" and join a vigil in Rachel Corrie's memory, organized by the BootCAT Campaign and Boston-to-Palestine (B2P) on March 16th, 2006. Then join us for a peaceful CAT protest on March 18th in Milford, MA.

Download and distribute flyers for the events (PDF)

THE KILLING ZONE
A documentary film by Sandra Jordan for Britain's Channel 4 News Program. More details on the film here.

Thursday, March 16th 7:00-9:00 PM
The First Parish in Cambridge
3 Church Street in Harvard Square

PEACEFUL CAT PROTEST
Saturday, March 18th 11:00 AM-12:30 PM

Join us for a peaceful protest outside the Caterpillar regional headquarters in Milford, MA. Articles and images from the CAT protest in 2005.

SCHEDULE:

9:30 AM: Carpool to MILFORD, MA. Meet at Harvest Co-op (parking lot) in Central Square, Cambridge (Milford is approx 45 mins from Boston).
**Please bring your car to make sure everyone has a ride!

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM: PROTEST @ MILTON-CAT IN MILFORD, MA.

DIRECTIONS from Cambridge to Milton-CAT at 100 Quarry Drive, MILFORD, MA 01757

Take I-90 WEST out of Cambridge - go 27.5 mi Take exit #11A towards CAPE COD onto I-495 SOUTH - go 7.9 mi Take exit #20 towards MILFORD At the bottom of the offramp, turn Right onto RT-85 Turn Left at first light onto FORTUNE BLVD Turn Right on QUARRY DR - go 0.2 mi Continue on QUARRY past the CAT complex and park in the shopping center parking lot just ahead.

See map here:

BootCAT meeting Dec 20

2005-12-19T23:36:00.000-05:00

Please join us for our last BootCAT meeting of the year:

Tuesday, Dec 20
6:30 pm
Christ Church (Zero Garden Street, Harvard Square)

We will formalize our strategy as we move forward into the new year, and Hannah will turn over notes and contacts to the group.

BootCAT Strategic Planning 12/13

2005-12-12T00:25:00.000-05:00

Please join BootCAT for a strategic planning session:

Tuesday, December 13
6:00-9:00 pm
Christ Church (Zero Garden Street, near Harvard Sq)
conference room upstairs and down the hall

Noura, from the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, will help us set our visions and plans for the new year, in light of other local, regional, national, and international efforts. Please come, and bring food to share if you're able to (if not, that's okay - many of you will probably be coming directly from work).

BootCAT meeting Nov 22

2005-11-20T15:37:00.000-05:00

BootCAT meeting this week! We'll discuss our ongoing work trying to make connections with churches, universities, and municipalities, and we'll plan for November 29 (see previous blog for details).

When: Tuesday, November 22, 6:30-8:30pm

Where: Christ Church, Cambridge Vestry (Zero Garden Street, Harvard Square T Stop)

November 29 in Copley Square

2005-11-18T09:47:00.000-05:00

Please join BootCAT on November 29
the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People
as we stand with banners, signs, postcards and flyers
demanding that Caterpillar Stop Bulldozing Palestine!

When:
Tuesday, November 29
11:30 am - 1 pm
(come for part or all of it - come for your lunch break!)

Where:
Copley Square

Why:
Because we are part of a growing national and international movement of civil society, responding to the call of Palestinian civil society to use what power we have to target the institutions and corporations that benefit from Palestinian suffering.

BootCAT Regional Day of Action Against Caterpillar

2005-10-29T08:00:00.000-04:00

Saturday, October 29, 2005 is a Regional Day of Action for the Northeast, in all 13 locations where MiltonCAT exists. MiltonCAT is the largest Northeast distributor of Caterpillar bulldozers. Activists in each of the 13 areas will deliver letters to Caterpillar, demanding that it uphold its own Code of Worldwide Business Conduct and international law, by ceasing all sales to the Israeli army.

In addition to the 13 letter deliveries, there will be protests, vigils, and teach-ins in various locations. In Milford, a large group from the Boston area and elsewhere will demonstrate outside the MiltonCAT headquarters with signs and information for passersby.

There are several Resources for Activists including sample letters, flyers, teach-in info and briefings available on the BootCAT website. Contact us for more info.

Article and Images from Protest: BootCAT activists target Milton CAT

Images of CAT Bulldozers in Palestine

2005-09-20T18:55:00.000-04:00

Here are several recent images of CAT bulldozers being used for demolitions and construction of walls in Palestine. Feel free to download and use for materials.

CATbuildingWall-IWPS.jpg

catandsoldiers1.jpg

CATintrees.jpg

CATnearwomen.jpg

womaninfrontofbulldozer.jpg

BootCAT activists target Milton CAT

2005-11-03T10:41:00.000-05:00

The following is a report and photos from Saturday in Milford. A longer report - with info about the actions in all 13 Milton CAT locations! - will be coming your way shortly.

Milford, Massachusetts (Milton CAT headquarters)
Saturday, October 29

On Saturday morning, October 29, twenty-eight members of the greater Boston area visited Milton CAT’s headquarters in Milford, Massachusetts. A group of five went early to deliver the letter to Chris Milton, owner/manager of Milton CAT, urging him to put pressure on his corporate headquarters to uphold Caterpillar’s own Code of Conduct. A receptionist met us and told us Mr. Milton was not there, and that there is no weekend manager, so there was nobody we could talk to. We showed her the letter and the War on Want report on Caterpillar, and asked her to deliver them to Mr. Milton. She promised she would, and that if we leave a phone number he would return our call this week.

Outside, we stood with banners and signs for over an hour, giving informational flyers to passersby and leaving hundreds of flyers on car windshields in the nearby mall parking lot. One police car came after about an hour, and the police officer and a CAT manager (apparently there is a manager on Saturday) approached Nancy from our group and told her we could stay as long as we wanted as long as we remain in our particular spot across the street from the main entrance. The manager said he had received our letter and would pass it along to the owner. Nancy asked the manager whether Mr. Milton would be willing to meet with us in the coming weeks, and he promised he would ask him, although he claimed that Milton CAT has no responsibility for or control over what the company does internationally. We will follow up, knowing that as the largest Caterpillar distributor in the northeast, Milton CAT does indeed have influence within the company at large.

PHOTOS from Saturday, October 29:
CATbanner.jpg
CATbulldozersdestroy.JPG
CATflyer.JPG
CATsignsatentrance.JPG
CATsigns.JPG
CATmanagerandpolice.jpg

BootCAT Meeting

2005-10-25T08:00:00.000-04:00

Please join us Tuesday to plan final details for the October 28 and 29 actions.

BootCAT will be meeting:

Tuesday, October 25
6:30-8:30pm

Christ Church Cambridge Vestry
Zero Garden Street

Harvard Square T Stop

Also, if you plan to come Oct 29 and haven't told us yet, please contact us.

Sunday, Sept. 25th BostontoPalestine's Photo Exhibition at JP Open Studios

2005-09-23T15:17:00.000-04:00

This past August, six Boston-area activists visited beseiged Palestinian cities, villages and refugee camps throughout the West Bank. They met with communities being choked by Israel's annexation barrier and joined in nonviolent demonstrations. They saw destroyed Palestinian villages inside what is now Israel and met with survivors. They worked with NGOs and other groups struggling to bring comfort to a beleaguered people.

And they took pictures...

BostontoPalestine's Photo Exhibition at JP Open Studios

Spontaneous Celebrations community center in Jamaica Plain
(directions below)

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25th ~ 11:30 AM - 6PM
Includes all new photos from August 2005
- for viewing and sale

SPECIAL PRESENTATION AT 7PM
- refreshments served

delegate journals and more info at:
http://ismboston.org/

--------------------
Directions to Spontaneous Celebrations

45 Danforth St., Jamaica Plain, MA. Please note that Danforth St. runs one way from Boylston St. to Paul Gore St. and is one block west of Lamartine St.

Walking From Stony Brook T stop, Orange Line:

Exit right from the MBTA station on to Boylston St. Cross Lamartine St. (light) and continue on the right side of Boylston St. one short block. The next right is Danforth St. # 45 is the first large building in from the corner on the left side of the street.

Driving From the Jamaicaway, coming from Boston or Cambridge:

Go left on Bynner (lights after Brookline overpass). Go through lights at South Huntington. Right at Day St. Go straight at stop sign (Centre St.) Take next left at Paul Gore St. Go down Paul Gore St. to the end, turn right at Larmartine, take first right at Boylston, first right at Danforth.

BootCAT meeting

2005-06-21T20:01:00.000-04:00

Tuesday, July 5th
6:30-8:30pm

Christ Church Cambridge Vestry
Zero Garden Street

Harvard Square T Stop

Film Showing with Amnesty International: June 21st

2005-06-16T14:25:00.000-04:00

Film: Another Road Home

When: Tuesday, June 21 at 7 p.m.
Where: Kendall Square Cinema

Please join Amnesty International USA for a discussion about the human dimensions of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict following a showing of the film
Another Road Home by Danae Elon.

The film will be shown at 7 p.m. Tickets need to be purchased from the Kendall Square Cinema. The discussion will begin immediately after the film, at around 8:30 p.m., and will last for 45 minutes.

PANEL MEMBERS:
Dr. Shukri Khuri, Professor of Surgery, Harvard Medical School and member of the American Diaspora Alliance for Israeli-Palestinian Peace
Mr. Michael Yohay, Israeli filmmaker
Mr. Joshua Rubenstein (moderator), Northeast Regional Director, Amnesty International USA

Another Road Home explores the 20-year relationship between two families, one Israeli and the other Palestinian, as it follows the film maker's search for Musa Obeidallah, the Palestinian man who helped raise her from the time she was an infant until she joined the Israeli army. The director is Danae Elon, the daughter of the writer Amos Elon and his wife Beth. The film takes us from Italy, where Amos and Beth Elon currently live, to Paterson, New Jersey, where four of Mr. Obeidallah's sons now reside. She locates them and then establishes contact with Mr. Obeidallah himself, who travels from the West Bank to see her in New Jersey, where both families have a reunion after many years. The film closes with Danae accompanying Mr. Obeidallah back to the West Bank.

The film opens at the Kendall Square Cinema on June 17 for one week. To see the trailer, please visit www.anotherroadhomethemovie.com.

Tuesday, June 14th Protest against Iraq War and Military Recruiters in Cambridge

2005-06-12T13:16:00.000-04:00

In Cambridge and Fenway Park this coming Tuesday, June 14th. Please join protests against the Iraq war and, more immediately, the invasion of Cambridge and Boston by senior U.S. military officials and by an army of recruiters eager to make their quotas and turn our children into cannon (nor rpv) fodder.

U.S. Army and Massachusetts national Guard forces will be dramatically occupying Cambridge Common as they work desperately to lure the cities’ young people to fight in the Bush Administration wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Philippines and elsewhere. The show will include a detachment of Iraqi war veterans; Recruiting and Retention's Super HumVee; a UH-60 "Blackhawk" Helicopter and more. To bring tears our eyes, they will also be exploiting the 11 year old son of a U.S. soldier killed two months ago. The ostensible reason for landing Blackhawk helicopter on Cambridge Common is that George Washington presented several cannons to revolutionaries there 230 years ago. 2 plus 2 has always equaled 17!

Exploiting professional sports, as the military has done for years, the 6:00 pre-game activities at Fenway Park will feature an enlistment ceremony for U.S. Army recruits. Anyone have tickets?

Protest plans will be solidified over the weekend.
For more information phoned United for Justice and Peace at: 617-491-4857 (617-491-4UJP)

Imagine Life Launch Party- June18

2005-06-12T12:11:00.000-04:00

Imagine-Life Boston Launch Party.
Save the date and buy your tickets now.
Please spread the word.

Imagine-Life is proud to announce the launch of a television media campaign on major cable networks in the Boston Area (CNN, MSNBC, FOX,The History Channel, BET.)

Please Join Us

for an evening of Arabic Food, Music and Entertainment while supporting this
important Campaign

When: Saturday June 18, 2005
Dinner at 6:30PM with Arabic Music Speaker and Entertainment to follow

Where: First Church in Cambridge Congregational
11 Garden St, Cambridge, Ma

Tickets $50.00 per person

Keynote: Mr. Naseer Aruri
Professor Emeritus at Dartmouth College

Special Guest: Hedy Epstein
Holocaust Survivor & Palestinian Rights Advocate

Comedian: Dean Obeidallah
Palestinian American Comedian

To purchase tickets call (202) 547-LIFE (5433) or email Boston@imagine-life.org

Please purchase tickets by June 12, 2005

IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND BUT WOULD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE
visit the Imagine-Life website at www.imagine-life.org
and click on "Donations" or

send a check to Imagine-Life Education Campaign t 650 Pennsylvania Avenue,
SE Suite 210 t Washington, DC 20003

Phone: 202-547-LIFE t Fax: 202-543-0719 t

Indicate Boston in the memo line
501(c)3 Tax Exempt Status, Donations are Tax Deductible

THANK YOU!

June 14th Protest Against CAT in NYC

2005-06-11T12:58:00.000-04:00

COME AND PROTEST CAT'S SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL'S SUSTAINED DESTRUCTION OF PALESTINIAN HOMES AND RIGHTS AND CAT'S CORPORATE SOCIAL IRRESPONSIBILITY

This week, the Israeli government is preparing to demolish 88 more
Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem using Caterpillar bulldozers.
Simultaneously, in Manhattan CAT executives, in an arrogant display of
corporate duplicity,will be leading a Tuesday June 14 workshop on
Sustainable Development and Corporate Social Responsibility at a conference
for business leaders from around the world at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.
(_http://www.conferenceboard.org/pdf_free/agendas/985005.pdf_
(http://www.conferenceboard.org/pdf_free/agendas/985005.pdf) ,
pg. 11, General Session B)

PROTEST TIME: Tuesday June 14 from 8:15 - 9:15 AM

PROTEST LOCATION: We will gather on the steps of St. Bartholomew's
Church on Park Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets. Promptly at 8:15 AM
we will walk one block to the site of the protest, the front of the Waldorf
Astoria Hotel on Park Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets.

PROTEST ORGANIZERS: This peaceful protest
was oganized by an ad hoc New York City group in support of the national Stop CAT Campaign. To date the protest has been endorsed by the International Solidarity Movement - NYC,NYU Students for Justice in Palestine and Queer Resistance for Palestine.

FOR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE JUNE 14 PROTEST: _ism_nyc@hotmail.com_
(mailto:ism_nyc@hotmail.com)

Next BootCAT Meeting

2005-06-06T21:43:00.000-04:00

Tuesday, June 14th
6:30-8:30pm
Christ Church Cambridge (in the Vestry)
Zero Garden Street
near Harvard Square

Next BootCAT Meeting

2005-06-06T21:27:00.000-04:00

Tuesday, June 14th
6:30-8:30pm
Christ Church Cambridge Vestry
Zero Garden Street (Near Harvard Square)

Next BootCAT Meeting

2005-05-23T19:18:00.000-04:00

Tuesday, May 31st 6:30-8:30pm
Christ Church Cambridge Vestry

Boston-area community readings of "Guantanamo: Honor Bound to Defend Freedom"

2005-05-24T17:25:00.000-04:00

GUANTANAMO IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD!

Why has former US Army Sergeant Erik Saar in his recent book called the US
detention camp at Guantanamo Bay "a drastic mistake"? Why has Archbishop
Tutu demanded that it be shut down?

Join the discussion at Boston-area community readings of the play
"GUANTANAMO: Honor Bound to Defend Freedom" on the following dates:

Thursday, June 9 at 7:30 PM
Community Church of Boston
(565 Boylston Street in Copley Square)

Friday, June 10 at 6:00 PM
Freedom House, Inc.
14 Crawford Street in Dorchester

Saturday, June 11 at 7:30 PM
YMCA in Cambridge
820 Massachusetts Avenue (Central Square)

All are Free of Charge and will be followed by a discussion of the issues.

The play was created by British journalist Victoria Brittain and writer
Gillian Slovo and played in London to sold-out audiences before moving to
New York City last summer. Based entirely on spoken and written testimony,
it focuses on the stories of five British detainees in Guantanamo Bay.

The community readings have been organized by the American Civil Liberties
Union of Massachusetts, the Cambridge Peace Commission, the Community Church
of Boston and Freedom House, Inc. Co-sponsoring the events are Amnesty
International, Brookline PeaceWorks, the Unitarian-Universalist Service
Committee, and United for Justice with Peace. For more information: call
(617) 482-3170 x 314 or visit www.aclu-mass.org.

Friday, May 27th film showing-"Rachel Corrie: An American Conscience"

2005-05-21T17:12:00.000-04:00

The Boston Coalition for Palestinian Rights Presents:

“Rachel Corrie: An American Conscience”
A documentary film from Palestine

When: Friday, May 27, 7:30 pm

Where: Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church
155 Powderhouse Boulevard
Somerville

Rachel Corrie: “An American Conscience” is a documentary film about a twenty three year old American activist who gave her life for a noble cause: defending the human rights and the freedom of the Palestinian people. Two years ago, peace loving people around the world mourned the death of this courageous young woman who symbolized peace, justice, human rights and the hope for a better tomorrow for all human beings regardless of their color, religion, race, gender or ethnicity. Rachel Corrie’s work and message has become a beacon of hope in this sadly dark world.

Mr. Yahya Barakat, director of this powerful documentary goes beyond politics to reflect on the suffering of the Palestinians under occupation. He shows Palestinian suffering and demonstrates what motivates members of the International Peace Camp to come to Palestine to resist occupation with all its formalities.