Original news, features, opinions from Chicago to Jerusalem
Palestinian activists stand up for LGBTQ Rights “We Stand With Palestine” Contingent in Chicago’s Gay Pride Parade Confounding many people’s expectations, our “We Stand With Palestine” contingent in the Chicago Gay Pride Parade yesterday – with its huge 160 sq foot banner, “Israel: STOP killing Palestinians!” – was met with almost universal approval by the approximately…
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B’Tselem to UN Secretary General: Protect Lives of Palestinian Protestors Ahead of today’s UN Security Council at 5:00 P.M. (Israel time), and as the demonstrations along the Gaza-Israel fence are expected to continue, B’Tselem Executive Director Hagai El-Ad sent UN Secretary-General António Guterres a letter listing the names of the 35 Palestinians protestors shot to…
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U.S. drops “Occupied Territories” & “occupation” from Israel human rights report Chapter on Israel/Occupied Territories now titled ‘Israel, Golan Heights, West Bank, and Gaza’; Adalah & zAdalah Justice Project: Elimination of references to occupation and discrimination against Palestinians is reflective of dangerous American tolerance for racism and xenophobia. The Adalah Justice Project, together with its…
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BDS movement nominated for Nobel Peace Prize The Palestinian Solidarity Campaign and Jewish Voice for Peace released news this week that the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanction) movement has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. BDS opposes the illegal activities of the Israeli Government in denying the human and civil rights of civilians targeted by…
JVP urges companies to stop supporting illegal settlements Jewish Voice for Peace identifies four top companies that are instrumental in supporting the racist, illegal all-Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank on lands stolen from Palestinian Christian and Muslim owners. Those companies are shameful and include: Caterpillar, Priceline.com, TripAdvisor and Airbnb. These companies are contributing…
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Defying Israel’s Civil Rights abuses through Martin Luther King Jr. The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., came to symbolize the successful struggle against racism and bigotry in America not just against the racism of Americans in society but also the racist practices of the American government. While others in the African American community embraced violent…
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New Orleans stands with Palestine New Orleans City Council Votes to Stand with Palestinian Rights Following a year of protests and community pressure, the City Council voted unanimously today to enshrine International Human Rights in the City of New Orleans. Last month, New Orleans Palestinian Solidarity Committee (NOPSC) demanded that the City Council pass a…
Jewish Voice for Peace denounces Israeli blacklist Letter from Jewish Voice for Peace Executive Director Rebecca Vilkomerson: I’m equal parts furious and sad: The Israeli Strategic Affairs Ministry put Jewish Voice for Peace on the list of organizations now officially banned from entering the state of Israel. We’re racing to figure out what this means and…
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The inseparability of peace, security, development and human rights GENEVA (8 December 2017) – On this day in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Its timing so close after the end of World War II was no coincidence. Rather, it reflected the conviction that human dignity is at…
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Waiting for A Dream in Africa The young leaders in Africa are waiting to see if this dream comes true, the same as the young Arabs, who once were inspired by Obama’s story, rather than Osama’s. By Abdennour Toumi President Macron’s appeasement speech from the podium of Ouagadougou University was highly anticipated, in particular by…
McCollum introduces bill to protect Palestinian children U.S. Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) today introduced legislation— the Promoting Human Rights by Ending Israeli Military Detention of Palestinian Children Act — to prevent United States tax dollars from supporting the Israeli military’s ongoing detention and mistreatment of Palestinian children. The full text of the bill can be found here. An estimated…
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Faith groups oppose denial of civil rights to critics of Israel Faith Groups Publish Statement Defending First Amendment Right to Boycott Friends of Sabeel North America, FOSNA, announces a full-page statement published today in The Kansas City Star on behalf of the Presbyterian Church USA, United Church of Christ, Alliance of Baptists, American Friends Service Committee,…
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Jewish Voice for Peace denounces ADL Why did the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a self-described civil rights organization with a mission “to secure justice and fair treatment to all,” issue a scathing attack against JVP and our Deadly Exchange campaign— which aims to do exactly that? Our campaign challenges police exchange programs that have facilitated trainings…
Material Support and the new FBI The soon-to-be Director of the FBI, Christopher Wray, has a concerning track record on First Amendment rights despite support from both Republicans and Democrats. By Ryan Suto “As expected” is the best description of the Senate confirmation hearing for President Trump’s pick to be the next Director of the…
Mosques warned of increased arson during Ramadan Muslim Civil Rights Group Releases Ramadan Arson Awareness Notice to Mosques Nationwide. Group Urges Vigilance, Prevention and Reporting during the Holy Month Muslim Advocates, a national legal, advocacy and educational organization for American Muslims, issued an arson awareness notice last night to mosques nationwide. The alert comes during this…
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ADC challenges Countering Violent Extremism program ADC Reaffirms Position on CVE/CIV; Prepares for Legal Fight. Says changes to name to “Countering Islamic Violence” will be worse ADC reaffirms our steadfast opposition to the government program known as Countering Violent Extremism (CVE). Since the inception of the program ADC has never wavered on our opposition to…
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Detroit civil rights group files suit against Trump immigration Today (Tuesday), January 31, 2017, the Arab-American Civil Rights League (ACRL) will hold a press conference at the Theodore Levin Federal Courthouse to announce today’s filing of a federal lawsuit on behalf of several of its members challenging the constitutionality of President’s Trump’s executive order. The lawsuit, filed…
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Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike get support. Advocates of human rights are showing support for the hundreds of Palestinian dissidents being held in Israeli prisons who have been denied their rights under the International Rule of Law. Supporters are posting videos and photos showing solidarity with the Palestinian prisoners who are being compared to the political…
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