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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.”

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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

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A selection of materals for IAW 2014 in Winnipeg are available for download below:

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  • IAW poster with events (colour) – download
  • Leaflets with events (black & white) – download
  • Easy-to-read list of events (black & white) – download