Subject: Al-Awda Press Release: Palestine Refugee Return March Washington DC Date: Thu, 24 Aug 2000 18:52:42 -0400 This is a multi-part message in MIME format. MASS RALLY TO DEFEND THE RIGHT TO RETURN FOR PALESTINIAN REFUGEES WASHINGTON, D.C. [8/24/00] -- On 16 September 2000, thousands will march and rally in Washington, DC to demand the implementation of the right of Palestinian refugees to return to the homes and lands from which they were expelled. The gathering is organized by The Palestine Right to Return Coalition, known by the Arabic name Al-Awda. The march will begin at Freedom Plaza at 11 AM, and proceed along Pennsylvania avenue. It will be followed by a rally in Lafayette Park where supporters will hear addresses by national and international figures. The march and rally coincide with the deadline set by Israeli and Palestinian negotiators for reaching a final status agreement, and also mark the date of the 1982 massacre of Palestinians at the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps in Israeli-occupied Beirut. The right of refugees to return to their homes is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International law, and in UN Resolution 194. Palestinian refugees represent the largest refugee population in the world. Some 800,000 Palestinians were forced from their homes in 1948, and many more forcibly displaced by Israel since that time. Today there are about 5 million dispossessed Palestinians, a number equivalent to the population of the state of Maryland. The suffering of refugees is magnified by Israel's continued denial of their legal and legitimate right to repatriation and restitution. Confirmed speakers include: Palestinian Legislative Council member Abdul Jawad Saleh, human rights lawyer Allegra Pacheco, human rights activist Dr. Eyad Sarraj, Palestinian-American author Fawaz Turki, poets Suheir Hammad and Lisa Majjaj, film producer Annemarie Kattan-Jacir, Barbara Lubin of the Middle East Children's Alliance, journalist and author Ralph Schoenman, activist Rania Masri, journalist Lamis Andoni, media critic Ali Abunimah, Dr. Hala Maksoud President of the Arab-American Anti Discrimination Committee, Executive Director of American Muslims for Jerusalem Khalid Turaani, Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations Nihad Awad, and Al-Awda rally co-Chair Dr. Zahi Damuni. Speakers not yet confirmed include: Presidential candidate Ralph Nader, Ambassador Andrew Young, Imam Hamze Yousef, Palestine National Council member Dr. Naseer Aruri, actors Susan Sarandon and Martin Sheen, and Congressional Representatives. Invited also are internationally renowned musicians Marcel Khalife and Simone Shaheen. The Palestine Right to Return Coalition is a broad-based grassroots coalition sponsored and endorsed by over sixty Arab, Muslim and solidarity organizations as well as thousands of individuals. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO ARRANGE INTERVIEWS CONTACT: Dr. Mazin Qumsiyeh Al-Awda - Palestine Right To Return Coalition-USA Tel: 203-785-6317 Fax: (717)832-1123 email: prrc-AT-mail.com Web: http://al-awda.org
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WASHINGTON, D.C. [8/24/00] -- On 16 September 2000, thousands will march and rally in Washington, DC to demand the implementation of the right of Palestinian refugees to return to the homes and lands from which they were expelled. The gathering is organized by The Palestine Right to Return Coalition, known by the Arabic name Al-Awda.
The march will begin at Freedom Plaza at 11 AM, and proceed along Pennsylvania avenue. It will be followed by a rally in Lafayette Park where supporters will hear addresses by national and international figures.
The march and rally coincide with the deadline set by Israeli and Palestinian negotiators for reaching a final status agreement, and also mark the date of the 1982 massacre of Palestinians at the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps in Israeli-occupied Beirut. The right of refugees to return to their homes is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International law, and in UN Resolution 194.
Palestinian refugees represent the largest refugee population in the world. Some 800,000 Palestinians were forced from their homes in 1948, and many more forcibly displaced by Israel since that time. Today there are about 5 million dispossessed Palestinians, a number equivalent to the population of the state of Maryland. The suffering of refugees is magnified by Israel's continued denial of their legal and legitimate right to repatriation and restitution.
Confirmed speakers include: Palestinian Legislative Council member Abdul Jawad Saleh, human rights lawyer Allegra Pacheco, human rights activist Dr. Eyad Sarraj, Palestinian-American author Fawaz Turki, poets Suheir Hammad and Lisa Majjaj, film producer Annemarie Kattan-Jacir, Barbara Lubin of the Middle East Children's Alliance, journalist and author Ralph Schoenman, activist Rania Masri, journalist Lamis Andoni, media critic Ali Abunimah, Dr. Hala Maksoud President of the Arab-American Anti Discrimination Committee, Executive Director of American Muslims for Jerusalem Khalid Turaani, Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations Nihad Awad, and Al-Awda rally co-Chair Dr. Zahi Damuni.
Speakers not yet confirmed include: Presidential candidate Ralph Nader, Ambassador Andrew Young, Imam Hamze Yousef, Palestine National Council member Dr. Naseer Aruri, actors Susan Sarandon and Martin Sheen, and Congressional Representatives. Invited also are internationally renowned musicians Marcel Khalife and Simone Shaheen.
The Palestine Right to Return Coalition is a broad-based grassroots coalition sponsored and endorsed by over sixty Arab, Muslim and solidarity organizations as well as thousands of individuals.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO ARRANGE INTERVIEWS CONTACT:
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