As I Leave for Gaza

Dear Milena,

Next week I'm flying to Cairo where MECA Program Director Josie Shields-Stromsness and MECA Director of Gaza Projects Dr. Mona El-Farra (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102894617101&s=5095&e=001aOJ5G7SWfMShV5G4YpO_GVKgc9bo6hAPBAYdslYX7UfdbOQ5D-7yg6_mursXiAgcDpTh8bETmn1GHV9kgzg30QiyOoz3Nk80yXND7k2HDpHp2Zukj1Jv5A==) will meet me to join the Gaza Freedom March (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102894617101&s=5095&e=001aOJ5G7SWfMR1cmHtZlKn7IFFhFT4yExMpUV4D6_7W80D9XqqwbS77I5iMzDXNUCFOrxHAn2tAS8hAaiZ0JFGdjPkvd0NLbnbMWdrMEr5TXCQqoYaEewsMw==)- along with hundreds of other activists from forty-two countries and thousands of Gazans.

While we are marching in Gaza, solidarity actions (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102894617101&s=5095&e=001aOJ5G7SWfMR0rNzOsWo3CYnTRFb-N1Pf4z_wCYQQcZfnX6o7_YpAg76gefKLOMWkpaojLPOcfLzmA84B5Ds30jXYFfcu4J-xK0OvN4nsFbDoIsQHfH05VBA0NBV8Q8KaFdPJt_L8wQRPYxAaxASYn0owNOC-2Gp72Fa3CTBPY6ch5GUNVtFCLTM4XS7C7vHWvRAl4-Psg1p5WXkS0jtHuNuHBhyHxEQvzeuCFlhCsB2lKEwu1Belig==), and I urge you to take part in this historic, international effort to end the siege of Gaza. On the one-year anniversary of Israel's brutal three-week attack on the people of Gaza, we will tell the world that the war on the Palestinian people - whether carried out by
blockades, occupation, apartheid laws or US-made weapons - can and must end.

Who knows if, or for how long, the Israeli and Egyptian authorities will allow us to stay in Gaza. But either way, we will be making a powerful statement of solidarity,
and our determination to keep fighting for justice in Palestine.

As the director of the Middle East Children's Alliance, I have another very important
reason for going to Gaza now.

As you probably know, MECA recently launched The Maia Project (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102894617101&s=5095&e=001aOJ5G7SWfMTG1_1TD1yTzL1IIDp61bFyBPdYBHcGIKx8IFklbPUzc6ejE-lfOl-2eK_60qAN1Fcpo90GC2nbtIV5hm5Tk6JqaKOA3Yr8MyRKmv5VlsIElQmUdf_CtKNs6S14d5L0Pqq9QD21DJPSow==), an ambitious, long-term, program to give Gaza's children the gift of clean, safe drinking water by purchasing and installing water purification units in schools and community centers throughout the Gaza Strip. Contributions from MECA supporters have made it possible to build systems in two schools and five more are underway.

After the March Josie, Mona and I will meet with our Gaza partners to discuss plans for new systems, and visit sites where there are existing or proposed systems. Electronic Intifada (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102894617101&s=5095&e=001aOJ5G7SWfMS1S-MaTvELveeV_x_Nk3dQ4X3iNJN1ay5RjSgvQSESg4ViXeaREndUt8ZJ7fjPxYNzmtv68XKzf4ULlyzx96afq4cij6_8scgNbVxxZxCseg==) Founder Ali Abunimah and author Alice Walker (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102894617101&s=5095&e=001aOJ5G7SWfMTer20LKJ07B0qxzoYpBazAjmRJKEQpoflKthImcMd3Tt5njV1q5s06WxFeLXIucnvwNZdytK3Y1CNuIPG9NjhDhi3nQI5vaN6iisRb_nGP63ApBD4ONUKIufaXKhnMgn_PBPxC8fDyOu5vpWh1WcQs)- both long-time friends of MECA -- will be in Gaza for the March, and they will got with us to visit the Maia Project sites.

There is nothing that would be more gratifying than to tell our friends in Gaza - who are struggling to rebuild their lives - one year after Israel's horrifying assault-that we will help them to install water systems in five more schools.
To do that, we need to raise an additional $28,000 by December 31.

Please give now (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102894617101&s=5095&e=001aOJ5G7SWfMQmfSlDFV8CL10yEWSj-1GdEXSobtumxEB-ApwVXgb1SrkghubY-em8Q99np9UsK1scZo-sR4qQqRdxJCqfqQjnTooIrWSr66SIpv6GAjeaJeupjYd5347VagZP1y9kdKjA96r9-5b-HwbwsuRDDlzh)
so that we can give the children of Gaza-who live every day with terrible fear and
deprivation - the gift of clean, safe drinking water.

Many thanks on behalf of the children,

Barbara Lubin
MECA Founder and Director


DONATE NOW (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102894617101&s=5095&e=001aOJ5G7SWfMQmfSlDFV8CL10yEWSj-1GdEXSobtumxEB-ApwVXgb1SrkghubY-em8Q99np9UsK1scZo-sR4qQqRdxJCqfqQjnTooIrWSr66SIpv6GAjeaJeupjYd5347VagZP1y9kdKjA96r9-5b-HwbwsuRDDlzh)

PS I'll be sending you emails from Gaza to share photos and stories about the Gaza
Freedom March (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102894617101&s=5095&e=001aOJ5G7SWfMRx3gEch_B7jYZxx3IrOO6WPMkes3kMgtptESb7S8e-9_RigLKwMEsubLYvdQnvjjWCZJT8YYeSmDev7ldJ76BL4HiazesuZ4y6-ohEu8Ckx2Jcy8BmnIED), and MECA's work in Gaza (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102894617101&s=5095&e=001aOJ5G7SWfMTG1_1TD1yTzL1IIDp61bFyBPdYBHcGIKx8IFklbPUzc6ejE-lfOl-2eK_60qAN1Fcpo90GC2nbtIV5hm5Tk6JqaKOA3Yr8MyRKmv5VlsIElQmUdf_CtKNs6S14d5L0Pqq9QD21DJPSow==). You can also follow my trip on MECA's
blog (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102894617101&s=5095&e=001aOJ5G7SWfMT_WfEfWRpLixAsKTZFSk_canBXqIFako4fPfQu9yXEA4uwbgigltLEoYJIotvOOwX_5k0D6EgkgcakWE44kpwj-E7qR5Ym3_LbswytRCERvHGyoFU-LMrF) and our Flickr
page (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102894617101&s=5095&e=001aOJ5G7SWfMTnlThfljDVXl_bwTCM_1aWAfySOlh0QRFiHrC5nTmR6tm-y0jwPql6YKmRFRh89ap4PBTVRrvUCR45lwREUGquv6khglw6myhFTrev3IeDzi3RmL5w2SY3HTBTEI_E50x5g2QfLLOfWA==).
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Help Bring Clean, Safe Water to the Children of Gaza
DONATE NOW (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102894617101&s=5095&e=001aOJ5G7SWfMQmfSlDFV8CL10yEWSj-1GdEXSobtumxEB-ApwVXgb1SrkghubY-em8Q99np9UsK1scZo-sR4qQqRdxJCqfqQjnTooIrWSr66SIpv6GAjeaJeupjYd5347VagZP1y9kdKjA96r9-5b-HwbwsuRDDlzh)


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Gaza Freedom March
Solidarity ActionsBAY AREA ACTIONS Sun,
12/27, SF Gaza Memorial, Interfaith Service (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102894617101&s=5095&e=001aOJ5G7SWfMSrXjyxi2NA46D1L09XQMGMt3O7GufxA6Sgy22yJiQWoe5Vj_BbngRRLYt-8n0XUYkUlO75S7kMH-42W9cJvso2XL89502y2lc0NstN4TIAxELyAfqUkCW1elgxRl3Wl_WKofKSUVuwkx9BD2CeJ7LWPRPi0sJEr1wMUOs4LHaxxQ6QIh9j3IWepmpQxV8CVwUmrvjNyPBGhmBX5_8jhQJ8hz2lkFizvJ0=)
4-6pm.
Union Square


Thurs. 12/31, SF

Gaza Freedom March (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102894617101&s=5095&e=001aOJ5G7SWfMRbzIY4EONezTjIOfABDQs4xLw1eooRpTya3Lbwwmsu3Ykl9fB0h-5vz4ql-gWxzdOWFJKzXXmNn2dlD5iavkMEPvrzLxC_Cmo7Qefjc7lKYhUJlQwO2DA5Lod3jfrdUwCj6OaW7gai8CsdQb782oeUgNqO6PpmVeo6pa3qlHpPiWDEuVrpTNFqrtji4um77XTAs7gYPMfTNohUwif2WJ7yw9Bm9bsD75Y=) 12-2pm, Golden Gate Bridge

IN YOUR COMMUNITY
To find an upcoming event in your area simply enter your postal code in the search box on the Gaza Freedom March Website (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102894617101&s=5095&e=001aOJ5G7SWfMR0rNzOsWo3CYnTRFb-N1Pf4z_wCYQQcZfnX6o7_YpAg76gefKLOMWkpaojLPOcfLzmA84B5Ds30jXYFfcu4J-xK0OvN4nsFbDoIsQHfH05VBA0NBV8Q8KaFdPJt_L8wQRPYxAaxASYn0owNOC-2Gp72Fa3CTBPY6ch5GUNVtFCLTM4XS7C7vHWvRAl4-Psg1p5WXkS0jtHuNuHBhyHxEQvzeuCFlhCsB2lKEwu1Belig==).
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2/28, Berkeley: Robert Fisk Lies, Misreporting, and Crises in the Middle EastSunday, February 28 - 7pm King Middle School, 1781 Rose A Beneft for MECA

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MORE BAY AREA EVENTS & VIDEO CONTESTSunday 12/20, 6:30, Berkeley Sulaiman Khatib, Co-Founder of Combatants for Peace Café Leila, 1724 San Pablo Ave.

Sun. 12/27, 7pm, SF

A Benefit Concert for the Children of Gaza (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102894617101&s=5095&e=001aOJ5G7SWfMScc5FpNu7zZDSGmXKr5PsVU5Qro0b2IwRpJ1YeAu2fuSwA1jl-H77hHsLFL8K8wv10391XGWm9sBulH3Ps8UJ92Jwaa0yz-Q-jMH9_6KkZ4d2Q5LyJiurh) Brainwash Café, 1122 Folsom Street

Wed. 01/06, 6:30pm, SF Activist and Author Richard Becke Arab Cultural and Community Center (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102894617101&s=5095&e=001aOJ5G7SWfMRKIJrBzcG6IRy3gC9cMwfC2RWN7vpFdHxaBZ5RFlnGQNkeD6XoTfearrECl2npciZMAiX2A5EdXopuAusvZyPcwea5IT7s5Ktk-gDxG4dPW8jCzxewio07jXSsC0ofkAY=), 2 Plaza Street

The First Annual Israeli Apartheid (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102894617101&s=5095&e=001aOJ5G7SWfMTz5t2S488KfZznT8LRjYGhcq-Y28Ggj2dfzlsTOHnIqI741-WaB17r_DcGYs3qiiwTtN-RSFELufABUkeuepfa2R5gL57RcI292_J0PnVUGhX1SyHh4F4bCMDNKvu9nFptLh2EI35Xxw==) is now accepting submissions.

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Barbara LubinMiddle East Children's Alliance

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email: meca@mecaforpeace.orgweb: http://www.mecaforpeace.org
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Make A Year-End Gift to the Children now (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102894617101&s=5095&e=001aOJ5G7SWfMQmfSlDFV8CL10yEWSj-1GdEXSobtumxEB-ApwVXgb1SrkghubY-em8Q99np9UsK1scZo-sR4qQqRdxJCqfqQjnTooIrWSr66SIpv6GAjeaJeupjYd5347VagZP1y9kdKjA96r9-5b-HwbwsuRDDlzh)

This email was sent to irshad@abv.bg by meca@mecaforpeace.org.

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Middle East Children's Alliance
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