News Release: This Sunday, commemorate Al Nakba in Winnipeg

NAKBA-2016-PRESS-RELEASE-1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, May 12, 2016

MAY 15: WINNIPEG COMMEMORATION OF PALESTINIAN CATASTROPHE OF 1948

WINNIPEG—The Winnipeg Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid (WCAIA) is holding a commemoration of Al Nakba in Memorial Park on Sunday, May 15, from 1-4 pm.
WCAIA and partner organizations representing Palestinian and Jewish communities and peace activists will host an afternoon of speakers, workshops, and culture.

“When you mention 1948, most people are not aware of the plight of Palestinians,” said Bassam Hozaima, spokesperson for WCAIA. “For Palestinians, 1948 was Al Nakba, the catastrophe.”

Added Hozaima: “We are gathering on May 15 to recognize and remember the forced exodus of over 800,000 Palestinians 68 years ago, by the nascent Israeli government and settler militias, backed by world super-powers.”

Those refugees now number 5 million. Bassam Hozaima’s story is similar to those of many Palestinians. His grandparents were forced out of their home in al-Ramla, Palestine in 1948. Hozaima was raised as a child in Gaza, and moved to Canada with his father at the age of 11. He has not been able to return to Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories since then, but he works locally to raise awareness about Palestine. He, along with survivors of the Nakba, will be speaking at Sunday’s event.

“It is important for us to link the Nakba to current political discussions. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau supported a motion earlier this year to condemn the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement,” added Hozaima. “But this will not stop us. Our non-violent movement has been effective in exposing Israeli exploitation of Palestinians and opposing the apartheid system put in place by the Israeli government.”

Concluded Hozaima: “May 15 is an opportunity to mourn the loss of Palestinian homes, lands and lives, and to affirm that no one can take away our dignity, our memory, or our continued resistance.”

-30-

The organizers acknowledge that this event takes place on unceded Indigenous land, part of Treaty 1 Territory and the heart of the Métis nation. We support the land rights and human rights of Indigenous peoples in Canada and worldwide.

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Liz @ ecarlyle@wcaia.ca

Al Nakba May 15 2016 – poster

1948

“[T]he story of 1948… is the simple but horrific story of the ethnic cleansing of Palestine… Retrieving it from oblivion is incumbent upon us… it is…the very first step we must take if we ever want reconciliation to have a chance, and peace to take root, in the torn lands of Palestine and Israel.”
Ilan Pappe, Israeli Historian, The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine

Al Nakba 68

COMMEMORATION OF AL NAKBA 68
A CELEBRATION OF PALESTINIAN CULTURE & RESISTANCE

Al Nakba is Arabic and means “the catastrophe”. This event is to commemorate the 1948 displacement and dispossession of Palestinians from their homes and lands, creating the longest-standing refugee crisis in the world.

For 68 years, Palestinians have experienced Al Nakba, and for 68 years Palestinians have resisted, working for peace and justice.

Sunday, May 15, 2016 – 1-4 PM
Memorial Park (across from the Manitoba Legislature)
1 pm – Commemoration, community voices & dance by Palestine on the Prairies
2:30 pm – Peace Flag Making & History Workshop
3 pm – Film showing – (documentary) The Iron Wall
4 pm – Wrap-up

ALL ARE WELCOME – FREE EVENT – CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES – REFRESHMENTS & SNACKS AVAILABLE

The organizers acknowledge that this event takes place on unceded Indigenous land, part of Treaty 1. We support the land rights and human rights of all indigenous peoples, in Canada and worldwide.

Sponsored by
Winnipeg Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid (WCAIA)
Canadian Palestinian Association – Winnipeg
Canada Palestine Support Network – Winnipeg
Independent Jewish Voices
Peace Alliance Winnipeg

WINNIPEG RALLY FOR GAZA 4 – SATURDAY, AUGUST 9

winnipeg rally for gaza 4WINNIPEG RALLY FOR GAZA 4

SATURDAY, AUGUST 9, 2014
2:30PM
MANITOBA LEGISLATURE

==========

MARCH ROUTE
LEAVING FROM MB LEGISLATURE:

Broadway to Main Street
Main Street to Portage Avenue
Portage Avenue to Memorial Blvd.
Memorial Blvd. to the Manitoba Legislature

==========

INFO/CONTACT:
MOHAMED BADWAN: 204.870.7099
OR EMAIL: canpalnet.winnipeg@gmail.com

RALLY ORGANIZED BY:
Canadian Palestinian Association of Manitoba (CPAM)
Canada-Palestine Support Network (Winnipeg)
Independent Jewish Voices (Winnipeg)
Peace Alliance Winnipeg (PAW)
Students Against Israeli Apartheid (SAIA)
Winnipeg Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid (WCAIA)

==========

PART OF CANADIAN PEACE ALLIANCE’S PAN-CANADIAN DAYS OF ACTION FOR GAZA: AUGUST 9 & 10

ALL OUT FOR GAZA!
STOP THE MASSACRE!
END THE SIEGE!
BOYCOTT ISRAEL!

2nd Winnipeg Rally for Gaza – Saturday, July 19 @ 1 PM

gaza poster 2RALLY FOR GAZA 2

SATURDAY, JULY 19, 2014 @ 1:00 PM

THE FORKS
CANADIAN MUSEUM FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
85 ISRAEL ASPER WAY

GAZA IS UNDER ATTACK! Since July 8, 2014, 245 Palestinians have been killed — including 46 children (as of this writing) — whilst thousands of others have been wounded and buried amidst the ruins of a city’s decimated infrastructure. Indeed, as Palestinians are dying, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper continues to cheer-on Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloodthirsty efforts, whilst alongside reiterating his unconditional support of Israel. What’s more, MPs from across the Canadian political spectrum continue to remain silent as this massacre carries-on. As we rally at the Canadian Museum of Human Rights, remind Prime Minister Stephen Harper that Canada — as a High Consenting Party to the Fourth Geneva Convention (1949) on the Treatment of Peoples Living Under Occupation — has a special obligation to insist that Israeli leaders be brought to justice for war crimes and crimes against humanity, and that the rights of Palestinians must be safeguarded!

STOP THE BOMBING OF GAZA!
END ISRAELI APARTHEID!

==========

Facebook event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/610615165720720/

ORGANIZED BY: 
• Canadian Palestinian Association of Manitoba (CPAM) 
• Canada-Palestine Support Network (Winnipeg)
• Independent Jewish Voices (Winnipeg)
• Peace Alliance Winnipeg 
• Winnipeg Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid (WCAIA)

CONTACT:
Mohamed Badwan: 204.870.7099
Rafe Abudulla: 204.295.7155
Krishna Lalbiharie: 204.899.8687
Email: canpalnet.winnipeg@gmail.com

Winnipeg Rally for Gaza – Monday, July 14 @ 6 PM

 

Winnipeg Rally for Gaza poster - July 2014WINNIPEG RALLY FOR GAZA

MONDAY, JULY 14, 2014
MANITOBA LEGISLATURE
6:00PM

Protests are being organized in cities around the world in response to the ongoing, collective punishment of Palestinians. Since the June 12 disappearance and killing of 3 Israeli settler youths, Israeli forces and civilians have killed more than 180 Palestinian civilians (including dozens of women and children) and wounding more than 1,000 others — this, whilst carrying-out over 1,100 merciless airstrikes on Gaza.

In Winnipeg, the Canadian Palestinian Association of Manitoba (CPAM), alongside other community organizations and allies, are calling on all supporters of Palestinian human rights to join us for a peaceful rally at the Manitoba Legislature in protest of Israel’s latest, brutal bombardment campaign and murderous attacks.

End Israeli Apartheid!

Stop the bombing of Gaza!

==========

INFO/CONTACT:
MOHAMED BADWAN (CPAM): 204.870.7099
RAFE ABDULLA (CPAM): 204.295.7155

CANPALNET (WINNIPEG)
204.899.8687
canpalnet.winnipeg@gmail.com

ORGANIZED BY:
• Canadian Palestinian Association of MB (CPAM)
• Canada-Palestine Support Network (Winnipeg)
• Winnipeg Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid (WCAIA)

Sign the IJV Petition for Equal Rights – Ask Nikki Yanofsky not to sing for the JNF

Nikki_Yanofsky_Live_at_KPLUIJV_JNF campaign

John Greyson KEYNOTE March 23

GREYSON-IAW-POSTER-DRAFT-1

GREYSON-IAW-HANDBILLS-BW

SodaStream Bubbles by Dianne Baker