Worse than an Earthquake: Peace Activist Kathy Kelly on the Destruction in Gaza
Kathy Kelly longtime nonviolent resister, serving sveral prison sentnces for resistance to war preparations. In the mid - 90's she was a founder of the sanctions busting direct action group "Voices in the Wilderness".
Kathy attended all three Pitstop Ploughshares trials in Dublin '05-'06 to give evidence. She made her way to Lebanon during the Israeli assault of 06 and recently into Gaza. Amy Goodman of Democracy Now interviews her on what she witnessed in Gaza.
Worse than an Earthquake: Peace Activist Kathy Kelly on the Destruction in Gaza
http://www.democracynow.org/2009/1/27/peace_activist_ka..._from
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Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5Chomsky on Gaza, Obama, Iraq and Afghanistan
http://www.counterpunch.org/chomsky01282009.html
Grit tv interviews Kathy Kelly
http://www.commondreams.org/video/other-lands-have-drea...kelly
Kathy Kelly, Bill Quigley and Audrey Stewart went to Egypt, aiming to
maintain a presence close to the border crossing between Gaza and
Egypt, near the city of Rafah. They linked up with other
internationals there and hope to coordinate efforts with other
activists who have assembled there.
Here, Kathy is at Colorado College speaking after her return. Her talk
in 3 parts:
Kathy Kelly pt1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_Q8ybQLGQE&feature=chan..._page
Kathy Kelly pt2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdssKmAiUHI&feature=chan..._page
Kathy Kelly pt3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wsB8AeHIZo&feature=chan..._page
Voices in the Wilderness calls for:
1) an immediate end to Israels military offensive into Gaza;
2) the withdrawal of all of Israels military forces from Gaza;
3) the opening of all border crossings into and out of Gaza to allow
for the immediate delivery of all necessary humanitarian and medical
supplies, including medical personnel;
4) the suspension of all U.S. assistance to Israel until such time as
Israel ends its military offensive against Gaza; and,
5) the immediate end to the use of violence against populations in
Israel and in the Occupied Territories of Palestine.
SEVEN ARRESTED IN HARKIN'S DM OFFICE OVER GAZA CRISIS
Four Catholic Workers and three others were arrested this evening when
fifteen peace activists occupied Sen. Tom Harkin's office in Des
Moines calling the senator to "repent" his voting record concerning
the war between Israel and Palestine. Requests of Harkin included a
thorough investigation of the war crimes in the region as well as
asking Harkin to recant his previous and unqualified pro-Israel voting
record. A copy of their statement is attached.
The group paralleled Harkin's historic expose of Tiger Cages (inhumane
prisoner detainment cells) used by U.S. forces during the Vietnam War
with the Gaza Crisis. Harkin's passion led to banning the use of the
cages. The resulting public admiration at that time was the catalyst
for his career as an elected official. The group called for Harkin to
show the same conscious and courage on behalf of the people in
Palestine stating that "All of Gaza is a tiger cage."
Harkin's opposition to international or domestic war tactics has
diminished in subsequent years, and his support of Israel has been
unwavering. Second only to Dick Durbin, Harkin has accepted more in
campaign contributions for pro-Israel PACs than any other senator.
Harkin staff delivered a new statement regarding the Gaza Crisis the
Senator had issued the day before in anticipation of the group's
visit. When the statement failed to meet any of their requests, peace
activists remained in Harkin's office from 1:30 to 6:00 p.m. reading
aloud written accounts of death and suffering in the recent attacks in
the Gaza Strip. Seven members of the group refused to leave at the
6:00 p.m. closing time and were arrested. They are Des Moines
Catholic Workers Frank Cordaro, 58, Renee
Espeland, 47, and Ed Bloomer, 61, as well as
long-time Des Moines peace activist Sherry Hutchison, 90, Elton Davis, 47, Rev.
Chet Guinn, 80, also from Des Moines, and Brian
Terrell, 52, from Strangers and Guest Catholic
Worker House in Maloy, Iowa. All seven were cited and released.
7 min Youtube video of Ash Wed visit, occupation and arrest at US Senator Tom Harkin's DM Offices for the people of Gaza (7 mins)
http://www.desmoinescatholicworker.org/harkinoccupation....html
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