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Join us - Gaza from the Frontlines: Stories of Survival and Siege with Mohammed Omer

Oct 19, 2016
Photo: Middle East / AFSC

A speaking tour with award-winning Palestinian journalist and author from Gaza

Palestinian journalist and author Mohammed Omer has been documenting the realities faced by people and communities in Gaza for over a decade. This fall, we invite you to meet and hear from Omer on his speaking tour of several cities in the United States. 
 
It's been more than 10 years since Israel imposed a military blockade on Gaza. In that time, "Gaza has endured three Israeli military assaults from land, sea, and air that have left thousands of Palestinians dead, many more badly injured and maimed, and much of the [Gaza] strip’s infrastructure and fragile economy in ruins,” writes Omer.
 
Learn more about the crisis in Gaza and why the U.S. must demand an end to the blockade at one of Omer's upcoming appearances. #gazaunlocked
 
 
Tour dates 

Nov. 11, 6-8 p.m.: San Diego, California
Friends Center, 3850 Westgate Place, Building 100, San Diego, California 92105
Public presentation sponsored by AFSC, co-sponsored by the Peace Resource Center of San Diego County, and the First Church of the Brethren
www.sandiegofriendscenter.org
RSVP on Facebook 

Nov. 14, 6 p.m.: Tucson, Arizona
Revolutionary Grounds, 606 N 4th Ave., Tucson, Arizona 85705
Book Reading
Organized by AFSC

Nov. 15, 7-9 p.m.: Tucson, Arizona
Global Justice Center, 225 E 26th St, Tucson, Arizona 85713
Public Event co-sponsored by the Southern Arizona BDS Network, Students for Justice in Palestine - University of Arizona, Jewish Voice for Peace Tucson
RSVP on Facebook

Nov. 16, 6:30-8 p.m.: Santa Fe, New Mexico (event will be broadcast live on Facebook)
Also featuring Rabbi Brant Rosen, AFSC
Unitarian Universalist Church, 107 W. Barcelona Road, Santa Fe, NM
Co-sponsored by Santa Feans for Justice in Palestine, Santa Fe Veterans for Peace, Peace and Social Concerns Committee of the Santa Fe Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends
RSVP on Facebook

Nov. 17, 5-7 p.m.: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Public event co-sponsored by Students for Justice in Palestine
University of New Mexico, Student Union Building, Lobo A+B (third floor), Albuquerque, NM 87131
RSVP on Facebook

Dec. 8, 6:30 p.m.: Indianapolis, Indiana
IUPUI Campus Center, Room 450A, 420 University Blvd., Indianapolis, IN
Sponsored by AFSC, Christians for Peace and Justice in the Middle East, Jewish Voice for Peace-Indiana, Students for Justice in Palestine-IUPUI
RSVP on Facebook

Dec. 10, 6 p.m.: St. Louis, Missouri
Friends Meeting House, 1001 Park Ave., St. Louis, MO 63130
Sponsored by St. Louis Palestine Solidarity Committeee, Jewish Voice for Peace – St. Louis, World Community Center

RSVP on Facebook

Dec. 13, 7p.m.: Chicago, Illinois
Grace Place Sanctuary, 637 S. Dearborn, Chicago IL 60605
Co-sponsored by The Electronic Intifada and Haymarket Books
RSVP on Facebook

"Gaza from the Frontlines" is organized by the American Friends Service Committee. For more information, contact Jennifer Bing by email or call 312-427-2533 x19.
 
 

About Mohammed Omer

Mohammed Omer, 32, is among the younger generation of Palestinian writers who work to narrate their own reality, despite the isolation and global indifference to their lives under military occupation. He began translating and writing at age 17 from Rafah (Gaza), and has since become an award-winning author and journalist covering life for Palestinians in Gaza for numerous publications, including The New York Times, Democracy Now!, Al Jazeera, The Nation, Pacific Radio, Electronic Intifada, Middle East Eye, Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, and numerous European news outlets. Omer is currently a visiting Research Scholar at Harvard University.

His latest book, "Shell Shocked: On the Ground Under Israeli Assault," is now available and has garnered support from scholars and activists.

“Mohammed Omer could easily have escaped the horror of Israel’s impending assault on the trapped and helpless people of Gaza," says Noam Chomsky. "Instead, he chose to stay, to record, in searing and vivid detail, the savagery of Israel’s latest escapade of 'mowing the lawn' and steadfastness of the victims of a hideous tragedy."

 

Resources

Learn more about how the blockade affects life in Gaza by downloading the fact sheets below:

  

About AFSC

The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), a Quaker peace and justice organization founded in 1917, has a long history with Palestinians in Gaza, dating back to its relief work following the 1948 War and youth program work until the present day.  AFSC also has a longstanding US-based program focused on education and advocacy in the United States, with decades of experience organizing speaking tours, conferences, campaigns, and Congressional advocacy on the issues of Palestine and Israel.  AFSC domestic programs also include work on other justice issues in the United States, including challenging US immigration policies, mass incarceration, and US militarism at home and abroad.