CPTnet
May 31, 2001
CHICAGO/ REST OF INHABITED WORLD: CPT calls people to participate in June 8
Women in Black demonstrations

For about 13 years, Israeli women have held a one-hour silent vigil at
lunch-time every Friday in Jerusalem. Over the years, their vigils have
been simple, quiet and focused. Their basic sign simply reads, "End the
Occupation." When they began, they broke a taboo by publicly using the
Hebrew word "Occupation" on their signs. Their numbers have fluctuated,
from times when there were Women in Black (WIB) vigils in many places around
Israel, to Fridays in the Oslo years when only a few women persisted at
their original site, Paris Square.

Christian Peacemaker Teams delegations have often stood with Women In Black.
The Hebron team has worked closely over the years with Bat Shalom
("Daughters of Peace"), the Israeli women's peace group that has been the
mainstay of these vigils in Jerusalem. These women have been some of the
most courageous and frequent Israeli visitors to our Palestinian partner
families, working to end home demolitions and helping with rebuilding
efforts."

They now call for Women in Black vigils around the world for June 8. Below
is the most recent notice the Chicago office has received. CPT encourages
all its constituents to participate in a vigil near them or create their own
vigil based on the the WIB guidelines:

1. Women should lead in the planning, the public announcements, the
quotes in press releases, and speaking to the media.

2. All should dress mostly in black if possible. Plan to stand quietly
for an hour at a public intersection with lunch hour traffic.

3. Organizers should make and bring a quantity of simple posters and
banners, so that those who join can show up at the time and hold one. Signs
in North America might need a bit more detail to be understood: "ISRAEL: END
THE MILITARY OCCUPATION" or "REMOVE THE SETTLEMENTS, END THE MILITARY
OCCUPATION". In the US, it would be appropriate to include signs about US
aid: "AID TO ISRAEL IS PAYING FOR WAR" OR "NO US TAX $ FOR ISRAELI
OCCUPATION."

4. Please let Rich Meyer know about planned vigils, so that CPT can let
the Coalition of Women for a Just Peace know about your support. Send him
AND YOUR LEGISLATORS clippings of press coverage, or send a copy of your
press release and photos. He may be reached at

Rich Meyer
Campaign for Secure Dwellings
13416 CR 44
Millersburg IN 46543 USA
Phone/Fax 219-642-3920
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75 International Women in Black Vigils to End the Occupation NOW!!

On June 8th, in 75 cities and towns around the world, a call by peace
activists to END THE OCCUPATION will be heard.

There are currently Women in Black vigils scheduled in:

Adelaide Australia, Ankara Turkey, Barcelona Spain, Bern Switzerland, Brest
France, Brussels Belgium, Copenhagen Denmark, Derry Northern Ireland, The
Hague Netherlands, Halifax Canada, Hofgeismar Germany, London England,
Madrid Spain, Maldive Islands, Melbourne Australia, Mexico City Mexico,
Milano Italy, Roma Italy, Napoli, Italy, Florence Italy, Alba Italy, Schio
Italy, Padova Italy, Verona Italy, Udine Italy, Como Italy, Piacenza Italy,
Montreal Canada, Paris France, Rennes France, Seville Spain, Stockholm
Sweden, Toronto Canada, Uppsala Sweden, Valencia Spain, Vancouver BC Canada,
Vienna Austria, Zurich Switzerland, Abilene TX, Albuquerque NM, Ann Arbor
MI, Ashland OR, Atlanta GA, Boston MA, Cambridge MA, Chicago IL, Denver CO,
Gainesville FL, Hartford CT, Houston TX, Ithaca NY, Jefferson City MO,
Kansas City MO, Lake Junaluska NC, Los Angeles CA, Madison WI, Milwaukee WI,
Minneapolis MN, New Haven CT, New York City NY, Palo Alto CA, Petaluma CA,
Philadelphia PA, Portland OR, Sacramento CA, San Francisco CA, San Jose CA,
Santa Fe NM, Seattle WA, Syracuse NY, Washington DC, Jerusalem Israel
Rehovot Israel.

Coalition of Women for a Just Peace :
Bat Shalom, Women in Black, New Profile, TANDI, WILPF, Women and
Mothers for Peace,
Women Engendering Peace, "NOGA" (Venus -A Feminist Magazine)

34 Years of Occupation - ENOUGH !!!
The generals leading the country drove us to wars of all kinds:
-- Wars against other countries in the region, and wars against the
Palestinian people.
-- War against the children of the first Intifada, and the assassination of
the leaders of the second Intifada.
-- "Surgical" air strikes and bombing of population centers.
-- Roadblocks, closure, killing, house demolitions and uprooting of orchards
and olive groves

And this is how they want to achieve peace in the region??

THE AGE OF GENERALS IS OVER !! - ENOUGH OF THE REIGN OF FORCE !!!
IT'S TIME FOR WOMEN TO LEAD THE WAY !!

The Coalition of Women for a Just Peace proposes the only right approach
toward resolving the conflict in our region: Solving problems with wisdom
and understanding, not by force; A solution based on the principles of
justice, equality and peace through dialogue, compromise and empathy for the
needs of both peoples. Thus, the CWFJP is holding an international day of
opposition to the occupation:

Immediate Withdrawal from the Occupied Territories To the '67 borders !!!
CWFJP calls for an immediate international intervention that will put an end
to the killings and injuring of Palestinians who struggle for their
independence.

This day will be marked by more than 80 simultaneous protests by
Women in Black and their supporters, at locations around the world.

The demonstration will begin with an all-night protest vigil on Thursday
night,
7 June 2001, and continue throughout the morning of Friday, 8 June 2001.
The demonstration will close with a mass protest by Women in Black
at 12:00 -14:00 p.m. at Hagar Square (Paris Square) in Jerusalem.

The Coalition of Women for a Just Peace demands from the Israeli government:
-- An end to the occupation.
-- Establishment of the state of Palestine side by side w